Daily GK Update- 24th July, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Operation Jal Rahat: Indian Army Launches Flood Rescue Mission in Assam: Operation Jal Rahat has been launched by the Indian Army to support the Assam Government in rescue and relief operations amid severe floods affecting over 57,100 people across seven districts. Army and Assam Rifles teams have been deployed in the worst-hit districts of Charaideo, Sivasagar, and Jorhat, while the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been kept on standby for aerial assistance if required.

 

2. India Hosts 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting in Chandigarh: India is hosting the 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting in Chandigarh as a three-day event, bringing together Health Ministers and senior officials from BRICS countries to strengthen cooperation on global health issues. The meeting is being held under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, highlighting India’s commitment to advancing collective action on global health priorities. Key discussion areas include health security, pandemic preparedness, digital health, affordable medicines, innovation, traditional medicine, tuberculosis, mental wellness, healthy lifestyles, and resilient health systems.

 

3. First Direct Freight Train Reaches Nepal Customs Yard: The first direct commercial freight train from Kolkata Port reached the Nepal Customs Yard in Biratnagar, eastern Nepal, on 20 July 2026. The train carried 40 forty-foot containers of canola grain and was operated by the Container Corporation of India Limited. The movement took place under the amended India-Nepal rail transit framework. The framework permits direct rail movement of containerised and bulk cargo to Biratnagar through the Jogbani-Biratnagar broad-gauge cross-border rail link. Before this movement, Birgunj was the only customs point in Nepal equipped to receive third-country rail cargo from Indian ports. The Jogbani-Biratnagar rail link was jointly inaugurated on 1 June 2023 with grant assistance from the Government of India.

 

4. India Launches Campus Biodiversity Register Initiative : India launched a nationwide Campus Biodiversity Register initiative for higher educational institutions on 21-22 July 2026. The exercise is being implemented by the Nature Conservation Foundation, a Mysuru-based wildlife research and conservation organisation, and the National Biodiversity Authority under India’s biodiversity documentation framework. The Campus Biodiversity Register, or CBR, is a record of flora, fauna, and other life forms found within a college or university campus. The initiative aims to prepare one CBR for each participating higher education institution during a year-long documentation exercise. Participants will use citizen science platforms such as iNaturalist, eBird, and SeasonWatch to record species observations. These platforms are used for biodiversity documentation, species identification, and public participation in biological recording.

 

5. Gujarat Approves De-Addiction Centres in District Hospitals: Gujarat has approved Rs 14.90 crore for setting up de-addiction centres in all 34 district hospitals in the state for the 2026-27 financial year. The project is part of the state’s Drug-Free Gujarat campaign and covers inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment services. Each de-addiction centre will have 15 beds and will provide scientific detoxification treatment, de-addiction therapy, counselling, mental healthcare, family counselling, and rehabilitation. The centres will function with multidisciplinary teams that include doctors, nurses, counsellors, and psychologists. District hospitals are secondary-level public health institutions in India that provide specialist care at the district level. Gujarat has 34 district hospitals, and the new centres are planned for all of them to expand access to addiction treatment within the public health system.

 

6. Kerala Targets 150 Global Capability Centres by 2031: Kerala has set a target of 150 Global Capability Centres by 2031 under the strategic roadmap titled Kerala GCC Outlook 2026. The plan also projects the creation of about 2 lakh jobs in the state by 2031. Global Capability Centres, or GCCs, are captive units set up by multinational companies to manage functions such as information technology, finance, research and development, analytics, human resources, and customer support. India has become a major GCC destination because of its engineering talent, digital infrastructure, and established services sector. The Kerala government’s roadmap seeks to raise the number of GCCs from 45 to 150 by 2031. The strategy was presented at the Kerala GCC Outlook 2026 conclave held at Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram. Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty introduced the strategy and the feasibility report at the event.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India, North Macedonia Expand Trade, Technology Ties: India and North Macedonia agreed to expand cooperation in trade, technology, tourism, talent and healthcare during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to North Macedonia on 21-22 July 2026. The visit was the first bilateral visit by an Indian President to North Macedonia since diplomatic relations were established in 1995. The discussions covered the “three Ts”, namely trade, technology and tourism, along with talent. The identified sectors included information technology, IT-enabled services, artificial intelligence, digital technology, agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, biotechnology, tourism, hospitality and filmmaking.

 

2. India, Panama Expand Logistics and Digital Ties: India and Panama held bilateral discussions in July 2026 on trade, investment, logistics, maritime cooperation, and digital connectivity. The talks involved Union Minister for Commerce Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, and Panama’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez. India and Panama established diplomatic engagement through trade, shipping, and port-related cooperation. Panama is located in Central America and controls the Panama Canal, a major maritime route linking the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Panama serves as a logistics and trans-shipment hub in the Americas. India has expanded maritime and digital partnerships with several countries through port development, shipping links, and digital payment systems.

 

3. US-Saudi Nuclear Deal Approved: On 22 July 2026, the United States approved a 30-year civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia. The agreement is a bilateral civil nuclear arrangement under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, which governs nuclear cooperation between the United States and foreign states. A 123 Agreement is a legal framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation between the United States and another country. Such agreements can cover nuclear reactors, fuel supply, nuclear technology transfer, and related safeguards for civilian use. The Saudi agreement is designed to give United States companies a central role in developing Saudi Arabia’s nuclear infrastructure. The deal may also include a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia if a joint study supports that option.

 

4. Startup Museum Planned in Bengaluru with Grand Egyptian Museum Architects: The Museum of Innovation, Startup & Technology (MIST) is a planned museum in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and it is legally registered as the Karnataka Technology Innovation Museum Foundation (KTIMF). The project is being developed as a public-private partnership between the UnboxingBLR Foundation and the Karnataka Department of Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology (ITBT). The Heneghan Peng Architects Consortium won the bid to design MIST on 21 July 2026. The consortium was selected through a two-stage global Quality and Cost-Based Selection process from six shortlisted consortia. The Dublin-based consortium is known for designing the Grand Egyptian Museum, and it includes Bengaluru-based Cadence Architects in its team.

 

5. Amish Shah Wins Arizona Democratic Congressional Primary: Indian-American doctor Amish Shah won the Democratic nomination for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District on 21 July 2026. He is an emergency physician and a three-term member of the Arizona House of Representatives. He will contest the November 2026 general election against Republican Jay Feely. Arizona’s 1st Congressional District is a United States House of Representatives constituency in Arizona. It is classified as a highly competitive toss-up district in federal elections. The district has been central to contests for control of the U.S. House. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee endorsed Marlene Galán-Woods in the primary. Galán-Woods is a former broadcast journalist and was the establishment-backed candidate in the contest. Shah won the Democratic primary for this district for the second consecutive time.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Paras Defence to Set Up $644 Million Semiconductor Packaging Facility: Paras Semiconductors Private Limited, a subsidiary of Paras Defence and Space Technologies Limited, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the MP State Electronics Development Corporation on 22 July 2026. The MoU covers a greenfield advanced integrated circuit packaging and Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test facility in the Indore-Ujjain region of Madhya Pradesh. OSAT stands for Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test, a segment of the semiconductor value chain that covers assembly, packaging, and testing of chips. The proposed facility includes 3D heterogeneous integration, 2.5D and 3D advanced packaging, hybrid bonding, ultra-high-density fan-out packaging, chiplet integration, wafer bumping, and flip-chip assembly.

 

2. DRDO Signs Contracts for AEW&C Mk-II Programme: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed two contracts on 22 July 2026 for the Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Mk-II programme. The programme was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in July 2025 with an outlay of Rs 19,000 crore and is linked to the Indian Air Force’s airborne surveillance capability. One contract was awarded to AI Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) in New Delhi for converting six Airbus A321 aircraft from commercial passenger configuration into green platforms. These aircraft were earlier acquired from Air India and are currently operated by the Air Headquarters Communication Squadron. The second contract was signed with Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited (ADSTL) in Ahmedabad as the Development-cum-Production Partner for the mission systems of the AEW&C Mk-II. The Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS), a DRDO laboratory, leads the programme and will integrate indigenous mission systems onto the modified A321 platforms.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Lovlina Borgohain Assures India’s First CWG 2026 Medal: Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain secured India’s first medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, before the opening ceremony on 23 July 2026. She is assured of at least a bronze medal in the women’s 75 kg boxing category after receiving a bye into the semifinals. In Commonwealth Games boxing, both losing semifinalists receive bronze medals. This format guarantees a podium finish for any boxer who reaches the semifinals, even before the bout is contested. Lovlina Borgohain is an Olympic medallist from India and competes in the women’s 75 kg weight class. She is scheduled to begin her campaign on 31 July 2026 in the semifinals.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. I&B Ministry Launches ‘Gems of India Challenge’ to Promote Grassroots Digital Creators: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting launched the pilot phase of the “Gems of India Challenge” to identify, nurture, and promote grassroots digital creators across India. The challenge invites citizens to submit 1–3 minute videos showcasing the unique stories, culture, and heritage of their districts through the MyWAVES section on the WAVES OTT platform from 1–31 August. The pilot phase will be implemented in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Goa, and Ladakh, with plans for nationwide expansion based on its success. The initiative offers ₹50,000 district-level awards (up to 20 creators per district), ₹2 lakh state-level awards, and ₹5 lakh national awards to encourage and recognize outstanding digital storytelling.

 

2. AI Solves Jacobian Conjecture Problem: The Jacobian Conjecture, proposed in 1939 by German mathematician Eduard Ott-Heinrich Keller, is a long-standing problem in algebraic geometry and polynomial mappings. On 20 July 2026, mathematician Levent Alpöge, associated with Harvard University and Anthropic, announced that the AI model Claude Fable 5 helped disprove the conjecture by finding a counterexample. The Jacobian Conjecture concerns polynomial maps and asks whether a map with a non-zero constant Jacobian determinant must always have a polynomial inverse. In mathematical terms, the conjecture deals with global invertibility of polynomial functions in several variables. The AI-assisted result produced a 216-character formula that met the required constant determinant condition but could not be reversed by a polynomial inverse. The counterexample included three distinct input coordinates, namely (0, 0, 1/4), (1, -3/2), and (-1, 3/2), which all mapped to the same output (1/4, 0, 0, 0).

 

3. Raghu Vamsi Aerospace to set up ₹600 crore superalloy manufacturing facility in Telangana: Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group announced on 22 July 2026 a ₹600 crore integrated superalloy manufacturing facility in Telangana. The project is planned as one of India’s few integrated plants for nickel-based superalloys and is linked to aerospace and defence manufacturing. Commercial production at the Telangana facility is targeted for January 2028. The integrated manufacturing campus is planned at Hardware Park near Hyderabad International Airport, which is a major industrial location in Telangana. Dr. S.K. Jha, former Chairman and Managing Director of Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited, will lead the project. On 20 July 2026, Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group raised $40 million, or about ₹400 crore, in a funding round led by Norwest and Skegen Asset Management.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. PFRDA Opens Continuous ‘On-Tap’ Registration Window for New NPS Pension Fund Managers: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has opened an ‘on-tap’ registration window for prospective Pension Fund Managers (PFMs) to manage the corpus under the National Pension System (NPS). Under the new framework, applications for registration can now be submitted continuously, replacing the earlier system of accepting applications only during specified registration windows. The last ‘on-tap’ licensing window for Pension Fund Managers was opened by PFRDA in May 2022. The regulator stated that the continuous registration process will remain open until further notification, aiming to enhance competition and participation in the NPS ecosystem.

 

2. EnKash Launches India’s First UPI-Enabled Meal Card: EnKash, an Indian business payments and spend management platform, launched India’s first meal card with Unified Payments Interface-based payments on 22 July 2026. The card allows employees to pay from their meal card balance by scanning eligible UPI QR codes at food and grocery merchants across India. The meal card is accepted at more than 500,000 food and grocery outlets across India. It is also usable on online food delivery platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, and Blinkit. For employers, EnKash provides instant card issuance, bulk reloading, real-time transaction visibility, and merchant category-based spending controls. EnKash also holds its own RBI PPI licence, which gives it control over issuance, limits, and usage policies.

 

Daily GK Update- 23rd July, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. NHAI Expands RajmargYatra App with Digital Local Pass & MargMitra Help Centre: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a Digital Local Pass facility and MargMitra Help Centre on the RajmargYatra mobile application to enhance citizen-centric digital services under the Digital India initiative. The Digital Local Pass allows eligible residents living within a 20-km radius of a toll plaza to purchase a monthly unlimited travel pass online using DigiLocker, VAHAN, FASTag, and GIS-based verification, eliminating the need to visit toll plazas. The MargMitra Help Centre provides a single-window digital support system, enabling users to access services, register grievances, and receive assistance through text or voice in all 22 Indian languages. The platform also offers services such as FASTag recharge, KYC, refund status, Annual/Local Pass management, complaint tracking, blacklisted FASTag status, pending e-notices, and road safety reporting, improving transparency and commuter convenience

 

2. I&B Ministry Launches ‘Gems of India Challenge’ to Promote Grassroots Digital Creators: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting launched the pilot phase of the “Gems of India Challenge” to identify, nurture, and promote grassroots digital creators across India. The challenge invites citizens to submit 1–3 minute videos showcasing the unique stories, culture, and heritage of their districts through the MyWAVES section on the WAVES OTT platform from 1–31 August. The pilot phase will be implemented in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Goa, and Ladakh, with plans for nationwide expansion based on its success. The initiative offers ₹50,000 district-level awards (up to 20 creators per district), ₹2 lakh state-level awards, and ₹5 lakh national awards to encourage and recognize outstanding digital storytelling.

 

3. PFRDA Opens Continuous ‘On-Tap’ Registration Window for New NPS Pension Fund Managers: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has opened an ‘on-tap’ registration window for prospective Pension Fund Managers (PFMs) to manage the corpus under the National Pension System (NPS). Under the new framework, applications for registration can now be submitted continuously, replacing the earlier system of accepting applications only during specified registration windows. The last ‘on-tap’ licensing window for Pension Fund Managers was opened by PFRDA in May 2022. The regulator stated that the continuous registration process will remain open until further notification, aiming to enhance competition and participation in the NPS ecosystem.

 

5. Centre Launches ₹175-Crore Lakadong Turmeric Mission ‘Golden Spice’ to Boost Northeast Economy: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched the Lakadong Turmeric Mission – Golden Spice in New Delhi along with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. The mission, launched under the Ministry of DoNER’s Unlock the Economic Potential of India’s Northeast (USP) initiative, has an outlay of over ₹175 crore. The GI-tagged Lakadong Turmeric, known for having the world’s highest naturally occurring curcumin content, will be promoted through a farm-to-global-market ecosystem to enhance its quality, authenticity, scale, and global competitiveness.

The mission aims to expand cultivation to 7,000 hectares, double farmers’ incomes, create over 3,000 women-led jobs, and build a ₹100-crore Lakadong Turmeric economy by FY 2028–29. Designed as a five-year roadmap (2025–2030), the mission will be implemented in two phases—Value Chain Strengthening and Expansion & Scale-up—to promote Meghalaya’s unique agricultural products and strengthen the Northeast’s role in global value chains.

 

6. Tamil Nadu Renames and Expands Breakfast Scheme as Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme: Tamil Nadu renamed the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme as the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme. The scheme was originally launched in September 2022 for students of Classes 1 to 5 in government primary schools. From 17 September 2026, the scheme will be expanded to students of Classes 6 to 8 in government and government-aided schools, with the launch date coinciding with the birth anniversary of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy. The expansion is expected to cover an additional 15 lakh students, taking the total beneficiaries to over 34 lakh. The expanded scheme has an estimated annual cost of ₹343.55 crore, with ₹217.63 crore sanctioned for FY 2026–27.

 

7. Centre Appoints Anurag Jain as CEO of NITI Aayog for Two-Year Term: The Central Government has appointed Anurag Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog for a two-year term, with the appointment approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). Before this appointment, the CEO post was being handled on an additional-charge basis by Nidhi Chhibber. NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India), established on 1 January 2015, serves as the Government of India’s policy think tank, replacing the Planning Commission. The Prime Minister of India is its Chairperson.

 

8. 24 July – National Thermal Engineer Day: National Thermal Engineer Day is observed every year on 24 July to recognize the contributions of thermal engineers in advancing power generation, industrial processes, energy efficiency, and sustainable development. The day highlights the vital role of thermal engineers in the design, operation, maintenance, and innovation of thermal power plants, heating and cooling systems, and energy technologies.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. President Murmu unveils bust of Mahatma Gandhi in North Macedonian capital: President Droupadi Murmu unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Museum of the City of Skopje during her state visit to North Macedonia, highlighting India’s cultural and diplomatic ties with the country. Addressing the gathering, the President said that Mahatma Gandhi’s message of truth and non-violence belongs to all humanity, emphasizing that his ideals of dialogue, compassion, and peaceful coexistence remain relevant in today’s world.

2. France Becomes First EU Nation to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15: France’s Parliament approved a law banning children under 15 years old from accessing social media, making it the first European Union country to introduce a nationwide restriction on social media use by minors. Major social media platforms will be required to implement age verification systems to comply with the law, under France’s digital regulatory framework supervised by Arcom, the country’s audiovisual and digital communications regulator. The law will be implemented in phases: from 1 September 2026, children under 15 cannot create new social media accounts, and from January 2027, the restriction will also apply to existing accounts. Online encyclopedias, educational directories, and scientific directories are exempt from the ban.

 

3. India Hosts 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting in Chandigarh: India is hosting the 16th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting in Chandigarh as a three-day event, bringing together Health Ministers and senior officials from BRICS countries to strengthen cooperation on global health issues. The meeting is being held under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, highlighting India’s commitment to advancing collective action on global health priorities. Key discussion areas include health security, pandemic preparedness, digital health, affordable medicines, innovation, traditional medicine, tuberculosis, mental wellness, healthy lifestyles, and resilient health systems.

 

4. 22 July – World Brain Day: World Brain Day is observed every year on 22 July to raise awareness about brain health, neurological disorders, and the importance of early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Theme 2026 – Brain Health: Access for All. The day is organised by the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) in collaboration with neurological societies worldwide to promote education, research, and improved access to neurological care.

 

5. France Bans Social Media for Children Under 15: France’s parliament approved a law on 21 July 2026 that bans social media access for children under 15 years of age. France became the first European Union member state to adopt a nationwide restriction of this kind for social media use by minors. The ban will be introduced in two stages. From 1 September 2026, children under 15 will be blocked from creating new social media accounts, and from January 2027, the restriction will extend to existing accounts. The law includes exceptions for online encyclopedias, educational directories, and scientific directories. These categories are treated separately from social networking services under the legislation.

 

6. India and UAE sign MoU for food processing cluster: On 21 July 2026, the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UAE Food Cluster to establish a food processing cluster in Andhra Pradesh. The agreement was signed in Amaravati in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri. Dubai-based Floor Masters International announced an initial investment of ₹100 crore on 21 July 2026 for a food processing unit at Gangadhara Nellore in Chittoor district. The unit is planned as an export base for nearly 25 countries, with food products manufactured for overseas markets. The collaboration covers an integrated value chain for horticultural products such as mangoes, bananas, and cocoa. It also includes trade in seafood, dairy, poultry, pulses, and other products through cold-chain facilities and shipping links.

 

7. Udmaroo Bridge Inaugurated Over Shayok River in Nubra: The Udmaroo Bridge over the Shayok River was inaugurated in the Nubra district of Ladakh on 21 July 2026. The bridge was built at a cost of ₹27.18 crore under the Union Territory Administration’s Special Development Package and is designed to improve road connectivity in a remote border region. The bridge connects settlements in the Nubra region of Ladakh. It shortens the distance between Udmaroo and Hundri villages, and between Terchey and Skuru villages, by about 35 kilometres. The project includes around 230 metres of approach roads. The Udmaroo Bridge is a modern three-span Truss System Bridge. It has a 70R loading capacity, which is used for bridges that must carry heavy vehicular loads. The structure spans the Shayok River, which is a major river system in the Ladakh region.

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Operation Jal Rahat: Indian Army Launches Flood Rescue Mission in Assam: Operation Jal Rahat has been launched by the Indian Army to support the Assam Government in rescue and relief operations amid severe floods affecting over 57,100 people across seven districts. Army and Assam Rifles teams have been deployed in the worst-hit districts of Charaideo, Sivasagar, and Jorhat, while the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been kept on standby for aerial assistance if required.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Rajasthan Launches ‘Mukhyamantri Yuva Suyog’ Platform to Promote Youth Development and Sports: Rajasthan launched the Mukhyamantri Yuva Suyog platform in July 2026 from Jaipur to promote sports, skill development, employment opportunities, and community engagement among youth at the panchayat and ward levels. The initiative has been launched on a pilot basis in the Bagru Assembly constituency and Baran district, with youth participation facilitated through the Yuva Suyog portal using a registration-based system. The platform features sports such as cricket, volleyball, kabaddi, and football, with winning teams progressing from the local level to the Assembly constituency level. It also includes digital mapping of sports grounds to create a comprehensive database of sports infrastructure across rural and urban areas.

 

2. Pakistan to Host 14th South Asian Games in March 2027 Across Three Cities: Pakistan will host the 14th South Asian Games (XIV South Asian Games) from 23–31 March 2027, with competitions to be held in Lahore, Islamabad, and Faisalabad, featuring over 3,500 athletes from eight South Asian nations across 27 sports. The South Asian Games are a regional multi-sport event organized by the South Asian Olympic Council (SAOC) for member countries under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) sporting framework. Pakistan will host the Games for the third time, after 1989 and 2004, and for the first time events will be held outside Islamabad, with Lahore and Faisalabad also serving as host cities.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. NCBS Launches INvenTree Dataset for Indian Forests: The National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru, has compiled INvenTree-meta, a meta-dataset of tree inventory studies from India. The dataset covers 465 published studies conducted between 1991 and 2023 and includes forest data from more than 4,650 hectares across India’s major biomes. INvenTree-meta is designed to bring Indian forest data into global ecological analyses and climate studies. The dataset addresses the limited representation of South Asia in international forest databases and creates a structured resource for comparative research. The dataset compiles information from studies carried out in multiple forest regions and records a large volume of tree sampling in India. More than 80% of the underlying datasets are not publicly available, and data accessibility remains a major constraint in forest research.

 

2. ICMR Transfers Indigenous Medical Technologies for Commercialisation: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) transferred indigenous medical technologies for commercialisation through its Medical Innovations Patent Mitra initiative. On 21 July 2026, ICMR licensed three biomedical technologies to Indian pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturers, including Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Biological E Ltd. SHetA2 is a novel anti-HPV therapeutic candidate developed for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN), a precancerous condition of the cervix. ICMR licensed SHetA2 to Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. for further development and commercial use. SHetA2 was developed through collaboration between Dr. Showket Hussain of ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR-NICPR) and Dr. Doris M. Benbrook of the Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, USA. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major cause of cervical cancer, and CIN is classified as a precursor lesion in cervical disease.

 

3. India’s First AI-Powered Bird Sanctuary Announced: India’s first AI-powered bird sanctuary has been announced for development at the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The project is named Bhandup Bird Park and has received administrative approval with an allocation of ₹45 crore from the District Planning Committee’s special fund. The sanctuary will come up over about 20.09 hectares along the Thane Creek shoreline. Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary is a designated Ramsar site, which places it among wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Only 0.35 hectares of the project area will be used for physical infrastructure. The remaining area will be retained for ecological features and habitat-related facilities.

 

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India’s Debt-to-GDP Ratio Moderates to 58.2% in FY26; Capital Expenditure Continues to Drive Infrastructure Growth: India’s debt-to-GDP ratio moderated to 2% (provisional) in FY26, down from 58.5% in FY25, reflecting an improvement in the country’s fiscal position. As of 31 March 2026, the Central Government’s total debt stood at ₹201.17 lakh crore (provisional), while the debt is projected to rise to ₹228.27 lakh crore in FY27. The debt servicing ratio (interest payments to revenue receipts) declined from 41.6% in FY21 to 37.6% in FY26 (provisional), indicating an improved ability of the government to meet debt obligations through revenue receipts. In the Union Budget 2026–27, the government earmarked ₹17.15 lakh crore for effective capital expenditure, which exceeds the fiscal deficit (fresh borrowings) of ₹16.96 lakh crore, implying that borrowings are being fully utilised for asset creation. The government highlighted that capital expenditure of ₹44.03 lakh crore during FY21–FY26 has boosted infrastructure development, employment generation, logistics efficiency, and private investment, supported by initiatives such as PM GatiShakti, the National Logistics Policy, and the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).

 

2. Government Announces ₹40,000 Crore Mine Closure Corpu: The Government of India launched a corpus of about ₹40,000 crore on 22 July 2026 for scientific closure of coal mines in New Delhi. The plan covers 147 coal mines over the next two to three years and includes a 25% allocation of approved mine closure cost for community development over the next decade. The Ministry of Coal signed an implementation agreement with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, a German development agency, for technical cooperation on mine closure and repurposing. The project is supported by Germany’s BMZ, co-financed by the European Union, and has a total project volume of €10 million until 2030. India has already scientifically closed 42 coal mines, including 33 mines in the previous year. Closed mine land has been converted into productive assets through uses such as water bodies, green cover, and other post-mining land uses.

 

Daily GK Update- 22nd July, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India’s Core Infrastructure Output Rises 5% in June: India’s core infrastructure sectors recorded a 5% year-on-year growth in June 2026, the highest in five months, compared to 1.1% in June 2025. The growth was primarily driven by higher production of cement, electricity, and iron ore. The Index of Core Industries (ICI) has been revised with a new base year of 2022–23, replacing the previous base year of 2011–12. Iron ore has been included in the Index of Core Industries, increasing the number of core sectors from eight to nine.

 

2. Policybazaar Names Amitabh Bachchan as Brand Ambassador: Policybazaar has appointed Amitabh Bachchan as its new Brand Ambassador to strengthen awareness about health insurance and term insurance across India. The company launched a nationwide campaign titled “Parivaar Sabse Pehle”, encouraging families to prioritise financial protection by purchasing insurance at the right time. The campaign supports IRDAI’s “Insurance for All” vision, aiming to increase insurance penetration through television, digital, OTT, and social media platforms.

 

3. Rahul Himalian Takes Additional Charge as IRCTC CMD: Rahul Himalian, Director (Tourism & Marketing), IRCTC, has been entrusted with the additional charge of Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of IRCTC following the resignation of Sanjay Kumar Jain. A 1999-batch Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer, Rahul Himalian has over 26 years of experience in the Indian Railways and IRCTC and has served as a Whole-Time Functional Director on the IRCTC Board since 16 February 2024.

 

4. What are Ethanol ATMs?: Ethanol ATMs are proposed dispensing kiosks in India for selling ethanol in canisters for cooking use. The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is preparing a policy for wider use of ethanol as a mainstream cooking fuel, with a target timeline around September 2026. The proposed machines are expected to function at fuel retail outlets, where consumers can buy ethanol in sealed canisters. The canisters are designed with metal or thick plastic bodies and sealed lids, and they are meant to connect to specially designed ethanol stoves. State-run oil marketing companies are involved in research on ethanol-powered cooking stoves and pilot kiosks. The pilot installations are expected to test consumer response before wider deployment. India’s ethanol production capacity has crossed 20 billion litres annually, and it is projected to reach 24 billion litres by March 2027.

 

5. Mission Golden Spice for Lakadong Turmeric: Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma launched Mission Golden Spice – Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Value Chain Enhancement Project in New Delhi on 21 July 2026. The project is a five-year initiative from 2026 to 2030 with a financial outlay of Rs. 175.45 crore. The mission aims to expand the cultivation area from about 2,500 hectares to 7,000 hectares by 2030. It also targets annual production of 49,400 metric tonnes and an increase in farm-gate income from Rs. 30-40 per kilogram to about Rs. 80 per kilogram. The project plans to benefit more than 17,500 farmers, with 99% of them being women, mainly in the West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills districts. The initiative also seeks to create around 3,000 jobs and build a Rs. 100-crore local value-chain economy by fiscal year 2028-29. The project includes activities such as cultivation expansion, processing, branding, and market linkage for turmeric-based products.

 

6. Government Announces ₹40,000 Crore Mine Closure Corpu: The Government of India launched a corpus of about ₹40,000 crore on 22 July 2026 for scientific closure of coal mines in New Delhi. The plan covers 147 coal mines over the next two to three years and includes a 25% allocation of approved mine closure cost for community development over the next decade. The Ministry of Coal signed an implementation agreement with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, a German development agency, for technical cooperation on mine closure and repurposing. The project is supported by Germany’s BMZ, co-financed by the European Union, and has a total project volume of €10 million until 2030.

 

7. Udmaroo Bridge Inaugurated Over Shayok River in Nubra: The Udmaroo Bridge over the Shayok River was inaugurated in the Nubra district of Ladakh on 21 July 2026. The bridge was built at a cost of ₹27.18 crore under the Union Territory Administration’s Special Development Package and is designed to improve road connectivity in a remote border region. The bridge connects settlements in the Nubra region of Ladakh. It shortens the distance between Udmaroo and Hundri villages, and between Terchey and Skuru villages, by about 35 kilometres. The project includes around 230 metres of approach roads. The bridge provides all-weather connectivity in the Nubra area. It also improves access to Sham Gombo, also known as Yarma Gonbo, a Buddhist pilgrimage site in Ladakh. The project is expected to benefit nearly 1,000 residents of the surrounding villages.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Andy Burnham Sworn in as 59th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom: Burnham became the 59th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after being invited by King Charles III to form a new government, succeeding Keir Starmer. Burnham was elected Leader of the Labour Party unopposed and became the seventh Prime Minister of the UK in the last decade.

 

2. Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye Elected ECOWAS Chairman: Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been elected as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), succeeding Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio. As ECOWAS Chairman, Faye will lead the 15-member regional bloc, focusing on regional security, economic integration, and democratic governance in West Africa. ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) is a regional economic organization established on 28 May 1975 through the Treaty of Lagos to promote economic integration, regional cooperation, and peace among West African countries.

 

3. Headquarters: Abuja, Nigeria | Members: 15 West African countries (currently, following the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in 2025, ECOWAS has 12 active member states). France Bans Social Media for Children Under 15: France’s parliament approved a law on 21 July 2026 that bans social media access for children under 15 years of age. France became the first European Union member state to adopt a nationwide restriction of this kind for social media use by minors. The law applies to major social media platforms and requires age verification tools for compliance. It is linked to France’s digital regulation framework and to the role of Arcom, the country’s audiovisual and digital communications regulator. The ban will be introduced in two stages. From 1 September 2026, children under 15 will be blocked from creating new social media accounts, and from January 2027, the restriction will extend to existing accounts. The law includes exceptions for online encyclopedias, educational directories, and scientific directories. These categories are treated separately from social networking services under the legislation.

 

4. India and UAE sign MoU for food processing cluster: On 21 July 2026, the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UAE Food Cluster to establish a food processing cluster in Andhra Pradesh. The agreement was signed in Amaravati in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri. A food processing cluster is an industrial concentration of units linked to processing, packaging, storage, and export of agricultural produce. In this case, the proposed cluster is linked with horticulture, aquaculture, logistics, and cold-chain infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh. Dubai-based Floor Masters International announced an initial investment of ₹100 crore on 21 July 2026 for a food processing unit at Gangadhara Nellore in Chittoor district. The unit is planned as an export base for nearly 25 countries, with food products manufactured for overseas markets.

 

5. India’s First AI-Powered Bird Sanctuary Announced: India’s first AI-powered bird sanctuary has been announced for development at the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The project is named Bhandup Bird Park and has received administrative approval with an allocation of ₹45 crore from the District Planning Committee’s special fund. The sanctuary will come up over about 20.09 hectares along the Thane Creek shoreline. Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary is a designated Ramsar site, which places it among wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Only 0.35 hectares of the project area will be used for physical infrastructure. The remaining area will be retained for ecological features and habitat-related facilities. The project includes a 2.16-kilometre mangrove nature trail, observation towers, and viewing decks. Mangroves are salt-tolerant coastal plants that grow in intertidal zones and support fish, birds, and other wetland species.

 

6. AI Solves Jacobian Conjecture Problem: The Jacobian Conjecture, proposed in 1939 by German mathematician Eduard Ott-Heinrich Keller, is a long-standing problem in algebraic geometry and polynomial mappings. On 20 July 2026, mathematician Levent Alpöge, associated with Harvard University and Anthropic, announced that the AI model Claude Fable 5 helped disprove the conjecture by finding a counterexample. The Jacobian Conjecture concerns polynomial maps and asks whether a map with a non-zero constant Jacobian determinant must always have a polynomial inverse. In mathematical terms, the conjecture deals with global invertibility of polynomial functions in several variables. The AI-assisted result produced a 216-character formula that met the required constant determinant condition but could not be reversed by a polynomial inverse. The counterexample included three distinct input coordinates, namely (0, 0, 1/4), (1, -3/2), and (-1, 3/2), which all mapped to the same output (1/4, 0, 0, 0).

 

7. India, North Macedonia Expand Trade, Technology Ties: India and North Macedonia agreed to expand cooperation in trade, technology, tourism, talent and healthcare during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to North Macedonia on 21-22 July 2026. The visit was the first bilateral visit by an Indian President to North Macedonia since diplomatic relations were established in 1995. The discussions covered the “three Ts”, namely trade, technology and tourism, along with talent. The identified sectors included information technology, IT-enabled services, artificial intelligence, digital technology, agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, biotechnology, tourism, hospitality and filmmaking. Both countries discussed direct connectivity to support trade and tourism. India also committed to doubling training slots for North Macedonia under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme, with artificial intelligence courses included.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Centre Announces 50% Quota for Ex-Agniveers in CAPFs: The Union government announced a 50% reservation for retired Agniveers in recruitment to Constable (General Duty) posts in the Central Armed Police Forces and Rifleman posts in the Assam Rifles. The policy was placed before the Lok Sabha on 21 July 2026 through a written reply by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai. The Ministry of Home Affairs has created a separate category called Ex-Agniveers for recruitment into CAPFs and the Assam Rifles. The arrangement applies to Constable (GD) and Rifleman posts, which are entry-level uniformed positions in India’s internal security structure. CAPFs include the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Sashastra Seema Bal, and Assam Rifles. These forces function under the Ministry of Home Affairs and handle border guarding, internal security, counter-insurgency, and protection of vital installations.

 

2. Paras Defence to Set Up $644 Million Semiconductor Packaging Facility: Paras Semiconductors Private Limited, a subsidiary of Paras Defence and Space Technologies Limited, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the MP State Electronics Development Corporation on 22 July 2026. The MoU covers a greenfield advanced integrated circuit packaging and Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test facility in the Indore-Ujjain region of Madhya Pradesh. OSAT stands for Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test, a segment of the semiconductor value chain that covers assembly, packaging, and testing of chips. The proposed facility includes 3D heterogeneous integration, 2.5D and 3D advanced packaging, hybrid bonding, ultra-high-density fan-out packaging, chiplet integration, wafer bumping, and flip-chip assembly. The project involves a proposed investment of about ₹6,200 crore, which is equivalent to about US$644 million. The facility is planned to support domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity and align with the India Semiconductor Mission.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Peacko Unveiled as Official Mascot of BWF World Championships 2026: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Badminton Association of India (BAI) President Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled the official mascot “Peacko” and launched the official championship anthem for the BWF World Championships, New Delhi 2026. Peacko, inspired by the Indian Peafowl (India’s national bird), will lead BAI’s nationwide fan engagement campaign ahead of the championship.

The 30th edition of the BWF World Championships will be held in New Delhi from 17–23 August 2026, featuring over 400 players from more than 50 countries.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Earth’s Second-Oldest Orbicular Rock Found in Madhya Pradesh: The Pichhore orbicular granite near Kutawali village in Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh, has been dated to about 2.56 billion years. It is the second-oldest known orbicular rock in the world, after a similar formation in Western Australia. Orbicular granite is a rare igneous rock that contains orbicules, which are spherical or rounded structures formed within the rock mass. These orbicules are commonly made of quartz and feldspar and may show concentric layers similar to tree rings. Scientists used Uranium-Lead, or U-Pb, zircon dating to determine the age of the Pichhore granite. Zircon is a mineral widely used in geochronology because it can preserve isotopic information for billions of years. The rock crystallised around 2.56 billion years ago during the Neoarchean Era. Inherited zircon crystals in the sample were as old as 3.5 billion years, which places them among the oldest mineral records in the Indian shield.

 

2. Five New Allographa Species Found in Western Ghats: Five new species of lichen-forming fungi from the genus Allographa have been identified in the Western Ghats of India. The discovery was made by scientists from the MACS Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, which functions as an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology. Allographa belongs to the lichen-forming fungi group and is studied in taxonomy, ecology, and biodiversity research. Lichens are composite organisms formed by a fungal partner and a photosynthetic partner, usually an alga or cyanobacterium. The five newly described species are Allographa keralensis, Allographa nayakae, Allographa paraconsanguinea, Allographa persistinspersa, and Allographa semicarbonisata. The name Allographa keralensis refers to Kerala, and Allographa nayakae honours Indian lichenologist Dr. Sanjeeva Nayaka.

 

3. ICMR Transfers Indigenous Medical Technologies for Commercialisation: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) transferred indigenous medical technologies for commercialisation through its Medical Innovations Patent Mitra initiative. On 21 July 2026, ICMR licensed three biomedical technologies to Indian pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturers, including Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Biological E Ltd. SHetA2 is a novel anti-HPV therapeutic candidate developed for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN), a precancerous condition of the cervix. ICMR licensed SHetA2 to Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. for further development and commercial use. SHetA2 was developed through collaboration between Dr. Showket Hussain of ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR-NICPR) and Dr. Doris M. Benbrook of the Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, USA. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major cause of cervical cancer, and CIN is classified as a precursor lesion in cervical disease.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. UPI User Base Crosses 55.49 Crore; FY26 Transactions Reach ₹314 Lakh Crore: As of June 2026, nearly 55.49 crore users have been onboarded on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), according to the government. During FY 2025–26, UPI recorded 24,162 crore transactions with a total transaction value of ₹314 lakh crore. To enhance security and transparency, the Government, RBI, and NPCI have introduced measures such as risk-based transaction limits, safeguards against unauthorised mobile number changes, enhanced app security, and expanded UPI linkage with international payment systems for cross-border payments.

 

2. India Commissions First Deep Geothermal Wells in Ladakh’s Puga Valley: India commissioned its first and deepest geothermal wells in Puga Valley, Ladakh. The two wells, each 1,000 metres deep, were inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena at an altitude of over 14,000 feet. The geothermal wells were developed by the ONGC Energy Centre and are linked to a 1 MW pilot geothermal power project, marking a significant step in India’s renewable energy programme. A maximum temperature of 135°C was recorded at a depth of 400 metres, with further testing underway to evaluate the geothermal reservoir for future electricity generation. Geothermal energy is derived from the Earth’s internal heat. India has identified major geothermal resource zones in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

 

3. EPFO Launches VISHWAS 2026 Scheme: Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched VISHWAS 2026, a one-time dispute resolution scheme for the amicable settlement of damages and penalty-related disputes between EPFO and employers. The scheme will remain operational for six months and provides a fully digital, transparent, and time-bound mechanism to promote voluntary compliance, reduce litigation, and resolve long-pending disputes. Under VISHWAS 2026, damages and penalties for defaults before 14 June 2024 will be recalculated at reduced rates, and applications can be submitted online through the EPFO Employer Portal using a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or e-Sign.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Ajit Doval Selected for Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has been selected for the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026, which will be presented on 1 August 2026 in Pune on the 106th death anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The award, instituted by the Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust, comprises a memento, a citation, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh. Ajit Doval has been honoured for his exceptional contribution to India’s national security, counter-terrorism operations, covert missions, and border security, including his role in Operation Black Thunder, the Doklam negotiations, and the Balakot air strike.