Daily GK Update- 1st Aug, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. NLC India arm NIRL to set up 900 MW solar power project: NLC India Ltd has announced a 900 MW solar power project through its wholly owned subsidiary, NLC India Renewables Ltd (NIRL). The project received a Letter of Intent from Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited for development in Gujarat under a tariff-based competitive bidding process. The 900 MW capacity will be developed in ultra-mega renewable energy parks in Gujarat, including the Khavda Solar Park cluster. Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited will procure the electricity generated from the project under the bidding framework. NLC India Renewables Ltd was incorporated on 14 June 2023. The company works on solar power, wind energy and green hydrogen projects, and it functions as the renewable energy arm of NLC India Ltd.

 

2. Ladakh Declares 23 Heritage Sites as Protected Monuments: On 30 July 2026, the Ladakh administration declared 23 heritage sites across the Union Territory as Protected Monuments under the Jammu and Kashmir Ancient Monuments Preservation Act. The list includes petroglyph clusters, rock carvings, ancient caves, monasteries, forts, palaces, and inscriptions from different parts of Ladakh. A protected monument is a site, structure, or object that receives legal protection under a heritage law for preservation and regulated conservation. In India, such protection is used for monuments of archaeological, historical, or artistic value, and it can restrict construction, encroachment, and unauthorised alteration in the notified area.

 

3. India Launches Sovereign-Backed Maritime Liability Insurance: India launched its first sovereign-backed Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance product under the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMIP) on 30 July 2026. The product was issued by The New India Assurance Company Limited and handed over to the Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. by the Department of Financial Services. The Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool became operational on 12 May 2026 with a sovereign guarantee of ₹12,980 crore, which is about 1.4 billion. The pool provides combined underwriting capacity for maritime risks and offers an indemnity limit of up to 1.5 billion for the P&I cover. Protection and Indemnity insurance is a marine liability cover used in shipping for third-party claims. It generally covers crew claims, cargo claims, pollution liability, wreck removal, and other liabilities arising from vessel operations.

 

4. 11th All India Police Judo Cluster Championship concludes: The 11th All India Police Judo Cluster Championship 2026 concluded on 30 July 2026 at Hyderabad in Telangana. The event was held from 23 July to 30 July 2026 at the GMC Balayogi Indoor Stadium in Gachibowli and was hosted by the Central Industrial Security Force under the aegis of the All-India Police Sports Control Board. Around 1,600 athletes and officials from 36 Central and State Police organisations took part in the championship. Sashastra Seema Bal finished as the overall champion with 24 gold, 20 silver, and 23 bronze medals for 203 points. The Central Industrial Security Force finished second with 25 gold, 16 silver, and 25 bronze medals for 198 points. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police finished third with 10 gold, 21 silver, and 26 bronze medals for 139 points.

5. Sainik Welfare, Assam Contributes Rs 25 Lakh to CM’s Relief Fund: The Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Assam contributed Rs 25 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund on 29 July 2026. The cheque was presented to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for relief and rehabilitation work for families affected by floods in Upper Assam. The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund is a state-level fund used in India for emergency assistance, disaster relief, and rehabilitation. State governments in India maintain such funds for immediate support during floods, cyclones, landslides, fires, and other natural calamities. The Directorate of Sainik Welfare functions under the welfare framework for ex-servicemen, war widows, and dependants in India. Sainik welfare organisations in states coordinate assistance, pensions, rehabilitation support, and liaison with civil administration for veterans and their families.

 

6. Godavari Flood Threat Intensifies in Andhra Pradesh: The Godavari river flood intensity in Andhra Pradesh increased on 1 August 2026 due to heavy upstream rainfall. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) warned that the second warning level at the Dowleswaram Cotton Barrage was likely to be issued on the same day. The Godavari is one of India’s major peninsular rivers and flows through Maharashtra, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha before entering the Bay of Bengal. Flood warnings on the river are often linked to discharge levels at key monitoring points such as Bhadrachalam and Dowleswaram Cotton Barrage. At Dowleswaram Cotton Barrage, the first warning level is 10 lakh cusecs and the second warning level is 13 lakh cusecs. On 31 July 2026, inflow and outflow were over 5.3 lakh cusecs and rose to over 8.3 lakh cusecs by late Friday.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Exports Bihar Makhana to Canada: India exported 7 metric tonnes of value-added flavoured Makhana from Darbhanga in Bihar to Canada on 29 July 2026. The shipment moved through Mundra Port in two containers and was processed and packaged by Nutrivin Agro Private Limited for ZKV Foods in Canada. Makhana is also known as fox nuts and is obtained from the seeds of the aquatic plant Euryale ferox. Bihar accounts for the largest share of Makhana production in India, and the crop is associated with the Mithila region, including Darbhanga and nearby districts. The consignment contained flavoured Makhana, which belongs to the category of value-added agricultural exports. Value addition in food exports includes cleaning, roasting, seasoning, packaging, and compliance with food safety standards for overseas markets.

 

2. ZSI Completes Catalogue of 13,703 Butterfly and Moth Species: The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), headquartered in Kolkata, completed the first comprehensive Catalogue of Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths) of India on 30 July 2026. The catalogue lists 13,703 species of butterflies and moths from India and covers 3,705 genera, 240 subfamilies, 102 families, and 31 superfamilies. Lepidoptera is the insect order that includes butterflies and moths. The Indian catalogue consolidates more than a century of scattered taxonomic records into a single national reference work. The project took 12 years and involved field surveys, museum studies, and verification of scientific literature. The catalogue is arranged in 22 volumes and documents species-level diversity across major taxonomic ranks. The final volume was published in the international journal Zootaxa and covered the remaining 1,689 species. The work also resolved taxonomic ambiguities in several recorded groups.

 

3. India and Bhutan sign ₹4,000-crore Line of Credit: India and Bhutan signed a concessional Line of Credit (LoC) worth ₹4,000 crore, or Nu 40 billion, on 31 July 2026. The agreement was exchanged between the Export-Import Bank of India and Bhutan’s Ministry of Finance during the Fifth India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks in Thimphu. A Line of Credit is a financing arrangement that allows a lender to provide funds for specific projects on concessional terms. India uses LoCs through the Export-Import Bank of India for development cooperation with partner countries, including infrastructure and sector-specific projects. A Memorandum of Understanding on medical research and education was exchanged between the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Bhutan’s Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences on 31 July 2026. India also handed over 45 electric vehicles to Bhutan for green mobility initiatives.

 

4. APEDA Facilitates First Air Shipment of Karnataka Mangoes to Maldives: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the first-ever air shipment of Neelam and Totapuri mangoes from Karnataka to the Maldives on 30 July 2026. The consignment weighed one metric tonne and was flagged off by Shri Abhishek Dev, IAS, Chairman of APEDA. APEDA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It was established under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985, for the development and promotion of exports of scheduled agricultural and processed food products. Neelam and Totapuri are important mango varieties grown in southern India. Neelam is a late-season variety, while Totapuri is widely used for both table consumption and processing because of its fibre content and distinct shape.

 

5. Maldives-India Favara-UPI Transfers Begin: Real-time digital transfers between Maldives and India began on 30 July 2026 through the Favara-UPI cross-border payment corridor. The service connects the Maldives’ instant payment system, Favara, with India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for person-to-person transfers credited instantly to UPI-enabled bank accounts in India. Favara is the Maldives’ instant payment system, and UPI is India’s real-time retail payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India. The corridor allows transactions to be initiated in Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) or United States Dollars (USD) and settled in Indian Rupees (INR) in India.

 

6. Bhogapuram International Airport Inaugurated in Andhra Pradesh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, on 1 August 2026. The airport is Andhra Pradesh’s first greenfield international airport after the 2014 bifurcation of the state. A greenfield airport is built on a new site rather than by expanding an existing airport. The Bhogapuram project was developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited under a public-private partnership model. The airport was built at a cost of over ₹5,640 crore. Its first phase is designed to handle six million passengers annually. Commercial flights are scheduled to begin on 17 August 2026, and civil operations at Visakhapatnam airport will cease after the shift.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Rajnath Singh Felicitates IASV Triveni Crew: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh felicitated nine women officers in New Delhi on 30 July 2026 for completing the first-ever Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition named Samudra Pradakshina. The expedition was undertaken on the Indian Army Sailing Vessel Triveni and covered about 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans in 314 days. The expedition began with a virtual flag-off from the Gateway of India, Mumbai, on 11 September 2025. The crew was virtually flagged-in in Mumbai on 22 July 2026 after completing the voyage. Circumnavigation is a global sailing route that requires passage across all meridians of longitude and at least one crossing of the Equator. The crew crossed the Equator twice and the International Date Line during the voyage.

 

2. Indigenous Diving Support Vessel Nipun Delivered to Indian Navy: The Indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV) Nipun was delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 July 2026. It is the second vessel in this class after INS Nistar and was built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited at Visakhapatnam. A Diving Support Vessel is a specialised naval ship used for deep-sea diving, underwater salvage, and maritime rescue operations. Such vessels carry diving systems, support equipment, and mission facilities for operations in difficult underwater conditions. Nipun measures 118 metres in length and has a displacement of over 8,560 tonnes. The vessel is fitted with deep-sea saturation diving systems, Remotely Operated Vehicles, and dynamic positioning systems, which help maintain station-keeping during underwater operations.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Sreeshankar Wins Second Straight CWG Long Jump Silver: Murali Sreeshankar won the silver medal in the men’s long jump at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on 29 July 2026. His jump measured 8.09 metres, and Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle won gold with 8.15 metres, while Scotland’s Stephen Mackenzie took bronze with 8.08 metres. Murali Sreeshankar is an Indian long jumper aged 27 years. He became the first Indian male long jumper to win two Commonwealth Games medals after his silver medal in Glasgow and his earlier silver medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The men’s long jump is a track and field event in which athletes attempt a single take-off jump from a board into a sand pit. The result is measured from the take-off line to the nearest mark made in the landing area, and the longest legal jump wins the event.

 

2. Lovepreet Singh Wins Silver in Commonwealth Games Weightlifting: Lovepreet Singh won a silver medal for India in the men’s +110kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow on 30 July 2026. He lifted a combined total of 388kg, with 176kg in the snatch and 212kg in the clean and jerk. Olympic-style weightlifting has two competition lifts, the snatch and the clean and jerk. The total score is the sum of the best successful lift in each discipline, and the heavier total decides the ranking in a weight category. Weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games is divided into body-weight classes for men and women. The men’s +110kg class is a super-heavyweight category used for athletes above 110kg body weight.

 

3. India Sweep Commonwealth Table Tennis Team Titles: India won both the men’s and women’s team titles at the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships on 30 July 2026 at Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi. The men’s team defeated Malaysia 3-2 in the final, while the women’s team beat Malaysia 3-0 in the title match. The Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships is a biennial international table tennis competition for Commonwealth nations. The 22nd edition is being held from 27 July to 2 August 2026 in New Delhi, India. Team events are part of the championship programme, and the competition includes men’s and women’s categories. India’s men’s team won the final by a 3-2 margin against Malaysia. Manush Shah won two singles matches for India, including the decisive rubber against Javen Choong by 3-0. India had lost to Malaysia in the league stage before meeting the same opponent in the final.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Sarvam AI Launches Epoch Builder Edition: Sarvam AI launched Epoch Builder Edition on 30 July 2026 as a developer and enterprise platform for building, fine-tuning, and deploying large language models for Indian languages and use cases. The platform includes 7-billion and 70-billion parameter multilingual models trained on 2 trillion tokens and supports more than 10 Indian languages, including Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Marathi, and Bengali. Large language models, or LLMs, are artificial intelligence systems trained on large text datasets for tasks such as text generation, translation, summarisation, and question answering. Model size is often described by parameter count, and parameter counts such as 7 billion and 70 billion are used to classify model capacity in machine learning.

 

2. IndiaAI and Ayush Ministry Sign AI Integration MoU: The Ministry of Ayush and the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 31 July 2026 to expand artificial intelligence use in the Ayush sector. The agreement covers research, digital health, capacity building, innovation, medicinal plants, and drug administration in traditional medicine systems. Ayush is an acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. The Ministry of Ayush is the Union ministry responsible for policy, education, research, and development in these systems of medicine in India. The IndiaAI Mission is a national initiative under MeitY for building AI infrastructure, datasets, and innovation capacity. Under the MoU, the Ministry of Ayush will onboard the AIKosh platform for sharing eligible health research artefacts. These artefacts include datasets, metadata, AI models, toolkits, and use cases. AIKosh is a platform associated with the IndiaAI ecosystem for structured access to AI-related resources.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Mission Shakti App: The Mission Shakti App is a digital platform for women and child safety in India. It provides access to seven helpline services, including Women Helpline 181, Emergency Response Support System 112, National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930, Child Helpline 1098, and Tele-MANAS 14416. Mission Shakti is a Government of India initiative for women’s safety and empowerment during the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The initiative has two sub-schemes, namely Sambal for women’s safety and Samarthya for women’s empowerment. It also integrates several existing schemes related to protection, support, and welfare. The app links users to helplines for emergency response, legal aid, cybercrime reporting, mental health support, nutrition, maternity benefits, and child protection. The listed services include Poshan and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana Helpline 1515, National Legal Services Authority Legal Aid Helpline 15100, and Child Helpline 1098.

 

2. Cabinet Approves Samudra Manthan Offshore Exploration Scheme: The Union Cabinet approved the Samudra Manthan National Offshore Exploration Scheme on 31 July 2026. The scheme is a central sector scheme under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas with an approved outlay of ₹84,084 crore up to financial year 2030-31. The scheme has four financial components with specific allocations. Modern offshore seismic data acquisition and processing has an allocation of ₹28,534 crore, drilling of 60 deepwater exploration wells has an allocation of ₹43,200 crore, common offshore infrastructure hubs have an allocation of ₹10,000 crore, and oil and gas manufacturing and services zones have an allocation of ₹2,000 crore. Offshore seismic data refers to geophysical data collected from the seabed and marine sub-surface for hydrocarbon exploration. Deepwater exploration wells are drilled in offshore areas where water depth is high and specialised rigs are required.

 

Daily GK Update- 31st July, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Vizag Port Handles 50.87% of Marine Exports in 2025: Visakhapatnam Port, also known as Vizag Port, handled 50.87% of India’s total marine product exports in FY 2024-25. The port accounted for 48.89% of India’s marine product exports in FY 2025-26, after a share of 29.67% in FY 2023-24. Visakhapatnam Port is one of India’s major ports on the eastern coast in Andhra Pradesh. It functions as a key gateway for cargo movement on the Bay of Bengal coast and handles bulk, container, and export cargo. Marine product exports include frozen shrimp, frozen fish, cuttlefish, squid, crab, and other seafood items. India’s marine product exports reached ₹72,325.82 crore, or $8.28 billion, in FY 2025-26, with a volume of 1.93 million tonnes.

 

2. Maharashtra Bans Junk Food Sales Near Schools: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration issued a compliance order on 28 July 2026 to regulate the sale, advertisement, and free distribution of High Fat, Sugar, and Salt food items near schools. The order applies within 50 metres of school premises and covers children from 22 months of age up to Class 12 students in Maharashtra. The directive covers nearly 1.08 lakh schools and about 2 crore students across the state. It applies to pre-primary, primary, elementary, secondary, residential schools, hostels, and institutions affiliated with different education boards. The prohibited items include vada pav, samosas, ice creams, chips, sugary drinks, chocolates, and caffeinated beverages. The order also covers the advertisement and free distribution of such items within the notified school zone.

 

3. India Approves 111 Road Projects Under Vibrant Villages Programme: The Government of India approved 111 road projects on 29 July 2026 for all-weather connectivity to 134 previously unconnected villages along the India-China border. The projects were sanctioned under the Vibrant Villages Programme and carry an estimated cost of ₹2,481.93 crore. The Vibrant Villages Programme is a Central Sector scheme for developing villages in border areas of India. The Ministry of Home Affairs implements the programme for villages along the northern border, including areas near the India-China frontier. Road projects in border villages are linked with year-round access, movement of goods, and delivery of public services. All-weather roads are designed for use during rain, snow, and other seasonal conditions that affect remote Himalayan terrain.

 

4. Assam Passes Land Protection Bill for Heritage Institutions: Assam passed the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 on 29 July 2026. The Bill regulates land ownership and land transactions within a protected zone of up to 5 km around heritage and religious institutions that are at least 250 years old. Only original inhabitants, Scheduled Tribe communities, Scheduled Caste communities, indigenous ethnic communities, and other specified disadvantaged groups can buy, sell, and possess land in the protected area. The indigenous ethnic communities named in the Bill include Ahom, Moran, Motok, Chutia, and Koch Rajbonshi. An original inhabitant is defined as a person whose family has lived in the area for at least three generations as of 1 January 2006. The Bill counts one generation as 25 years and gives the district commissioner power to evict unauthorised occupants from the protected heritage area.

 

5. Rajasthan Issues First Rare Earth Exploration Licence: Rajasthan became the first state in India to execute an exploration licence for rare earth elements on 29 July 2026. The licence covers 207.63 square kilometres in the Navatala-Devigarh (Pachpadra) region of Balotra district and Shergarh tehsil of Jodhpur district. Rare earth elements are a group of 17 chemically similar metallic elements that include the 15 lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium. Lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium are among the REE minerals identified in the Rajasthan block. An exploration licence is a legal permission for prospecting and geological investigation before mineral extraction. The licence in Rajasthan was granted to the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited, and the agreement was executed by the Department of Mines and Geology of Rajasthan.

 

6. India Targets 100 Crore 5G Users by 2030: India has set a target of connecting 100 crore people to 5G technology by 2030. The country launched 5G services on 1 October 2022 and has expanded the network across almost all districts in a short period. 5G is the fifth generation of mobile communication technology. It offers higher data speeds, lower latency, and greater network capacity than 4G. In India, 5G services reached nearly 50 crore users within about two-and-a-half years of launch. The 5G rollout in India involved an investment of about ₹4.5 lakh crore and the installation of nearly five lakh telecom towers. By 28 February 2025, 5G services were available in 99.6% of districts, and 4.69 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations were operational.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Ngulkham Jathom Gangte Appointed India’s Next Ambassador to Mexico: Ngulkham Jathom Gangte was appointed India’s next Ambassador to Mexico on 29 July 2026. He is an Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1994 batch and was serving as Special Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs before this appointment. An ambassador is the head of a diplomatic mission in a foreign country and represents the sending state in bilateral relations. In India’s foreign service structure, ambassadors are appointed to countries with which India maintains full diplomatic relations. The Indian Foreign Service is one of the All India Services and handles India’s external relations, consular work, and diplomatic representation. IFS officers are recruited through the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.

 

2. India, Nepal Restore Lalitpur Heritage Sites: India and Nepal jointly inaugurated the restored Shree Gusthal Mahavihar and Agam of Prathamshree Mahavihar at Guita Tole in Patan, Lalitpur, on 28 July 2026. The project was funded by a Government of India grant of about NPR 12 crores and was executed by Nepal’s Central Level Project Implementation Unit under the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction. Shree Gusthal Mahavihar and Agam of Prathamshree Mahavihar are Buddhist heritage structures located in Lalitpur Metropolitan City in the Kathmandu Valley. The sites suffered severe damage in the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, which affected many monuments, temples, and traditional settlements across the country. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage provided design and project management consultancy for the restoration work. The inauguration was attended by Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan, and Member of Parliament Jagdish Kharel.

 

3. India Introduces Liability Rules for Spacecraft Re-entry: India issued the Norms, Guidelines and Procedures for Authorisation for Undertaking Planned Re-entry of Space Objects on 23 July 2026. The framework was made public on 29–30 July 2026 and applies to planned re-entry of space objects into Earth’s atmosphere by Indian and foreign operators. The guidelines were issued by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, or IN-SPACe, under the Department of Space. Prior authorisation from IN-SPACe is mandatory for any planned re-entry undertaken by an Indian entity, whether the activity takes place within India or outside Indian territory. Foreign entities that intend to conduct a planned re-entry within Indian territory must route applications through an Indian-incorporated entity. That entity is responsible for compliance with Indian laws and national security requirements.

 

4. China Establishes High-Altitude Drone R&D Centre in Tibet: China established high-altitude drone testing and research facilities in Tibet in 2025 and 2026, including a testing base in Ngari and a Plateau Drone R&D Application Centre at Xizang University near Mount Everest. These facilities are located on the Tibetan Plateau, where low oxygen levels, cold temperatures, rugged terrain, and rapidly changing weather create conditions for unmanned aerial vehicle testing. The high-altitude unmanned equipment testing base was inaugurated in Ngari, western Tibet, on 28 September 2025. The site lies at elevations above 4,500 metres and is used to test unmanned aerial vehicles under thin air and cold turbulence. Satellite imagery dated 29 October 2025 showed a 720-metre runway and multiple hangars at the facility.

 

5. India Rises from 82nd to 57th Global Rank in Pro-Competitive Reforms: India moved from 82nd to 57th place in a global ranking on reducing anti-competitive market distortions. The ranking was published on 30 July 2026 in a report titled India’s Next Growth Frontier: Reducing Anti-Competitive Market Distortions to Build on India’s 2010–2023 Reform Progress. The Goods and Services Tax is a destination-based indirect tax system introduced in India on 1 July 2017. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 provides a time-bound framework for insolvency resolution and liquidation of corporate persons, partnership firms, and individuals. The report linked India’s improvement to structural and pro-competition reforms carried out between 2010 and 2023. These reforms included changes in taxation, insolvency resolution, regulation, and trade facilitation.

 

6. Brookfield Launches $600 Million Renewable Energy Platform in India: Brookfield launched a renewable energy platform named Lumara in India on 30 July 2026. The platform will deploy about $600 million for solar, wind, and battery storage projects, and it will begin with an initial portfolio of more than 6 GW of capacity. Lumara will focus on solar power, wind power, and battery storage, which are three major segments of the renewable energy sector. The platform will also address delays linked to power purchase agreement negotiations, grid connection queues, and land acquisition timelines. Brookfield already has about 45 GW of wind and solar assets in operation and in the pipeline in India. Its total investments in India have crossed $32 billion across multiple sectors as of 30 July 2026.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Cochin Shipyard Launches Seventh ASW SWC Vessel: Cochin Shipyard Limited launched the seventh Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, INS Machilipatnam (BY 529), for the Indian Navy on 29 July 2026 in Kochi. The vessel belongs to the eight-ship Mahe-class ASW SWC project and is designed for coastal anti-submarine operations, low-intensity maritime operations, mine-laying, and subsurface surveillance. Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft are naval vessels built for operations in shallow coastal waters. These ships are used for detecting, tracking, and engaging submarines near the coast, where larger warships may have limited manoeuvrability. INS Machilipatnam measures 78.0 metres in length and 11.36 metres in beam. It has a draught of about 2.7 metres, a displacement of around 900 tonnes, and a maximum speed of 25 knots. The vessel carries indigenously developed Hull Mounted Sonar and Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar systems for underwater surveillance.

 

2. Brigadier B.K. Ponwar, Jungle Warfare Pioneer, Dies at 77: Brigadier (Retired) Basant Kumar Ponwar, founder of the Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare College in Kanker, Chhattisgarh, died at the age of 77 in Mhow in Madhya Pradesh. He was a veteran of the 1971 India-Pakistan War and served in the Indian Army from December 1969 after commissioning into the 1st Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry. Brigadier Ponwar served as Commandant of the Army’s Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School in Vairengte, Mizoram. He also oversaw the inaugural Indo-US exercise Yudh Abhyas in 2004, which is a bilateral military exercise between India and the United States. The Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare College was established in August 2005 in Kanker in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. The institution trained more than 37,000 security personnel in guerrilla warfare and jungle operations.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Dilip Gavit Leads India’s 1-2 Finish in 100m T47: India recorded a 1-2 finish in the men’s 100m T47 para athletics final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on 29 and 30 July 2026. Dilip Mahadu Gavit won gold with a Games record and season-best time of 10.71 seconds, while Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath won silver in 10.83 seconds. India’s 1-2 finish gave the country its third gold medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. India’s overall medal tally reached 15, with three gold, nine silver, and three bronze medals. The T47 class in para athletics is used for athletes with unilateral upper limb impairment. The men’s 100m T47 is a sprint event conducted on a standard 100-metre track under World Para Athletics rules.

 

2. Sreeshankar Wins Second Straight CWG Long Jump Silver: Murali Sreeshankar won the silver medal in the men’s long jump at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on 29 July 2026. His jump measured 8.09 metres, and Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle won gold with 8.15 metres, while Scotland’s Stephen Mackenzie took bronze with 8.08 metres. Murali Sreeshankar is an Indian long jumper aged 27 years. He became the first Indian male long jumper to win two Commonwealth Games medals after his silver medal in Glasgow and his earlier silver medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Electronics Development Fund Investments: The Electronics Development Fund (EDF) is a Fund of Funds set up by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to support venture capital funds that invest in electronics and information technology enterprises. As of 30 June 2026, the EDF had invested Rs 257.77 crore in eight SEBI-registered venture capital funds, called Daughter Funds. The EDF operates as a Fund of Funds, which means it invests in venture capital funds rather than directly in startups. MeitY is the anchor investor in the fund, and Canbank Venture Capital Funds Ltd. serves as the fund manager. The EDF was created to support the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) sector and the Information Technology (IT) sector in India. The eight Daughter Funds supported by the EDF had invested Rs 1,335.77 crore in 128 startups and companies. Of these, 77 companies belonged to the ESDM sector and 51 companies belonged to the IT sector. The supported companies had also created or acquired 373 intellectual properties.

 

2. DAANVEER Gram Panchayat Digital Infrastructure: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched DAANVEER on 29 July 2026 in New Delhi as a citizen participation initiative for strengthening digital infrastructure in Gram Panchayats. The platform works through the Meri Panchayat mobile application and enables contributions of standardised, quality-verified computer bundles for eligible Gram Panchayats across India. DAANVEER is an end-to-end digital platform for citizen and organisational contributions to local governance institutions. It aims to support the digital equipment needs of nearly 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats, which function as the basic tier of rural local self-government under the Panchayati Raj system. The initiative integrates the Meri Panchayat app with the DigiHaat marketplace. Donors can select from pre-approved computer bundles mapped to state-specific technical specifications, and the platform routes contributions to eligible Gram Panchayats through a transparent digital process.

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IRDAI Approves Patanjali’s Acquisition of Magma General Insurance: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) approved the acquisition of Magma General Insurance by Patanjali Ayurved and the DS Group on 28 July 2026. The transaction is valued at about Rs 4,500 crore and involves the purchase of equity stakes from existing shareholders. Patanjali Ayurved will acquire a 73.56% stake in Magma General Insurance. The DS Group will acquire a 24.5% stake in the company. The shares are being purchased mainly from Sanoti Properties LLP, which is part of the Adar Poonawalla Group, along with Celica Developers and Jaguar Advisory Services. The IRDAI approval is valid for three months from 28 July 2026. The transaction must be completed within this period. After completion, Patanjali is expected to become the promoter of Magma General Insurance and to infuse capital for solvency and business expansion.

 

2. India Exports Bihar Makhana to Canada: India exported 7 metric tonnes of value-added flavoured Makhana from Darbhanga in Bihar to Canada on 29 July 2026. The shipment moved through Mundra Port in two containers and was processed and packaged by Nutrivin Agro Private Limited for ZKV Foods in Canada. Makhana is also known as fox nuts and is obtained from the seeds of the aquatic plant Euryale ferox. Bihar accounts for the largest share of Makhana production in India, and the crop is associated with the Mithila region, including Darbhanga and nearby districts. The consignment contained flavoured Makhana, which belongs to the category of value-added agricultural exports. Value addition in food exports includes cleaning, roasting, seasoning, packaging, and compliance with food safety standards for overseas markets.

 

3. Cabinet Extends PM-KISAN Scheme for Five Years: The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme for another five years on 31 July 2026. The scheme will now run from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total financial outlay of ₹3,15,614 crore. PM-KISAN is a Central Sector scheme launched on 24 February 2019. It provides annual income support of ₹6,000 to eligible landholding farmer families in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each. The amount is transferred directly into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism. Since its launch, more than ₹4.47 lakh crore has been transferred under the scheme through 23 instalments. The 23rd instalment, released in June 2026, benefited over 9.49 crore farmers and involved more than ₹18,984 crore.

Daily GK Update- 30th July, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Government Approves RBI Proposal for Field Trials of ₹10 and ₹20 Polymer Banknotes: The Government of India approved the RBI’s proposal to conduct field trials of 1 billion polymer banknotes each in the ₹10 and ₹20 denominations. The proposal was approved under Section 25 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, following a recommendation from the RBI Central Board.

Polymer banknotes are printed on a plastic-based substrate, making them more durable, moisture-resistant, dirt-resistant, and longer-lasting than conventional paper notes. After successful field trials, the polymer ₹10 and ₹20 notes will be issued for regular circulation, joining India’s Mahatma Gandhi Series banknotes used widely in everyday transactions. Australia is the first country in the world to introduce and use plastic notes. It released a special 10-dollar plastic note in 1988.

 

2. India’s Industrial Output Surges 7.3% in June, Highest Growth in 23 Months: India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew by 3% in June 2026, marking the highest industrial growth in 23 months, according to government data. All four major sectors recorded positive growth, led by manufacturing (7.8%) and Electricity & Gas Supply (10.6%), while Water Supply, Sewerage & Waste Management expanded by 6.1%. The Mining & Quarrying sector registered comparatively slower growth of 1% during the month.

 

3. Himachal Pradesh Launches ‘Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana’ for Fishermen: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana’ to provide financial assistance and social security to fishermen engaged in reservoir fisheries. Under the scheme, each eligible fisherman will receive a lump-sum financial assistance of ₹3,500 during the fishing ban period.

 

4. Delhi Government Approves ‘Delhi Lakshmi Yojana’ with ₹2,500 Monthly Assistance for Women: The Delhi Government approved the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana to promote the economic empowerment and social security of women, under which eligible beneficiaries will receive ₹2,500 per month. The scheme, approved by the Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has been allocated ₹5,110 crore in the 2026–27 Delhi Budget, with the registration portal opening on 1 August 2026. Women aged 21–60 years with an annual family income of up to ₹2.5 lakh will be eligible, and the scheme is expected to benefit over 17 lakh women by supporting education, healthcare, skill development, savings, and financial independence.

 

5. Government Allocates Record ₹95,692 Crore for VB-G RAM G Rural Employment Scheme in FY 2026–27: The Government has allocated a record ₹95,692 crore for FY 2026–27 under the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Act, 2025, the highest-ever Budget Estimate allocation for any rural employment programme in India. The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 guarantees 125 days of wage employment per financial year to every willing rural household demanding work, increasing the entitlement from 100 days under MGNREGS. The Act expands the scope of permissible works with a focus on water security, rural infrastructure, livelihood creation, and climate resilience, while promoting convergence with other Central and State Government schemes.

 

6. First Telecom Manufacturing Zone will be established in Gwalior: India’s first dedicated Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) will be established in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The Department of Telecommunications and the Government of Madhya Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Phase I of the project on 30 July 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The project is designed on a plug-and-play system, which is an industrial model that provides ready infrastructure for manufacturing units. The Central Government has approved ₹493 crore for the first phase, while the State Government will provide land for the project. The project is expected to attract investment of about ₹12,000 crore to ₹15,000 crore and create around 5,000 direct jobs. The zone is linked with indigenous design and domestic production in the telecommunications sector.

 

7. Maharashtra Bans Junk Food Sales Near Schools: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration issued a compliance order on 28 July 2026 to regulate the sale, advertisement, and free distribution of High Fat, Sugar, and Salt food items near schools. The order applies within 50 metres of school premises and covers children from 22 months of age up to Class 12 students in Maharashtra. All school canteens must obtain a valid licence or registration from the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration to operate. School managements are responsible for implementation, and inspections across the state are scheduled to begin for compliance checks. The prohibited items include vada pav, samosas, ice creams, chips, sugary drinks, chocolates, and caffeinated beverages. The order also covers the advertisement and free distribution of such items within the notified school zone.

 

8. India Targets 100 Crore 5G Users by 2030: India has set a target of connecting 100 crore people to 5G technology by 2030. The country launched 5G services on 1 October 2022 and has expanded the network across almost all districts in a short period. 5G is the fifth generation of mobile communication technology. It offers higher data speeds, lower latency, and greater network capacity than 4G. In India, 5G services reached nearly 50 crore users within about two-and-a-half years of launch. The 5G rollout in India involved an investment of about ₹4.5 lakh crore and the installation of nearly five lakh telecom towers. By 28 February 2025, 5G services were available in 99.6% of districts, and 4.69 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations were operational.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Amritsar Becomes India’s Second Hub-and-Spoke Airport for International Flight Operation: The Ministry of Civil Aviation inaugurated Hub-and-Spoke international flight operations from Amritsar, making it the second airport after Varanasi to join India’s international Hub-and-Spoke framework. Under the new system, passengers can complete check-in, immigration, and customs at Amritsar Airport, with through-checked baggage and seamless transfers via Delhi, providing access to 20+ international destinations. The Hub-and-Spoke model is a key part of India’s International Aviation Hub Strategy, aimed at strengthening Indian airports as global transit hubs, generating 0.4 million jobs and contributing USD 30 billion to the economy by 2030.

 

2. 29 July – International Tiger Day: International Tiger Day (Global Tiger Day) is observed every year on 29 July to raise awareness about tiger conservation and the need to protect their natural habitats. The day was established in 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia, with the objective of reversing the global decline in tiger populations.

 

3. 28 July – World Hepatitis Day: World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on 28 July to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, promote prevention, early diagnosis, and access to treatment.

The day marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Baruch Samuel Blumberg, who discovered the Hepatitis B virus and developed the first Hepatitis B vaccine. Led by the World Health Organization, the observance supports global efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

 

4. Ngulkham Jathom Gangte Appointed India’s Next Ambassador to Mexico: Ngulkham Jathom Gangte was appointed India’s next Ambassador to Mexico on 29 July 2026. He is an Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1994 batch and was serving as Special Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs before this appointment. The Indian Foreign Service is one of the All India Services and handles India’s external relations, consular work, and diplomatic representation. IFS officers are recruited through the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. Gangte served as India’s Ambassador to Tunisia from 2021 and held concurrent accreditation to Libya. He was High Commissioner of India to Zambia from 2017 to 2021 and also served in Indian missions in Egypt, Morocco, Ireland, and Tanzania.

 

5. India, Nepal Restore Lalitpur Heritage Sites: India and Nepal jointly inaugurated the restored Shree Gusthal Mahavihar and Agam of Prathamshree Mahavihar at Guita Tole in Patan, Lalitpur, on 28 July 2026. The project was funded by a Government of India grant of about NPR 12 crores and was executed by Nepal’s Central Level Project Implementation Unit under the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage provided design and project management consultancy for the restoration work. The inauguration was attended by Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan, and Member of Parliament Jagdish Kharel. Shree Gusthal Mahavihar and Agam of Prathamshree Mahavihar are Buddhist heritage structures located in Lalitpur Metropolitan City in the Kathmandu Valley. The sites suffered severe damage in the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, which affected many monuments, temples, and traditional settlements across the country.

 

6. India Approves 111 Road Projects Under Vibrant Villages Programme: The Government of India approved 111 road projects on 29 July 2026 for all-weather connectivity to 134 previously unconnected villages along the India-China border. The projects were sanctioned under the Vibrant Villages Programme and carry an estimated cost of ₹2,481.93 crore. The Vibrant Villages Programme is a Central Sector scheme for developing villages in border areas of India. The Ministry of Home Affairs implements the programme for villages along the northern border, including areas near the India-China frontier. Road projects in border villages are linked with year-round access, movement of goods, and delivery of public services. All-weather roads are designed for use during rain, snow, and other seasonal conditions that affect remote Himalayan terrain.

 

7. India Introduces Liability Rules for Spacecraft Re-entry: India issued the Norms, Guidelines and Procedures for Authorisation for Undertaking Planned Re-entry of Space Objects on 23 July 2026. The framework was made public on 29–30 July 2026 and applies to planned re-entry of space objects into Earth’s atmosphere by Indian and foreign operators. The guidelines were issued by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, or IN-SPACe, under the Department of Space. Prior authorisation from IN-SPACe is mandatory for any planned re-entry undertaken by an Indian entity, whether the activity takes place within India or outside Indian territory. Foreign entities that intend to conduct a planned re-entry within Indian territory must route applications through an Indian-incorporated entity. That entity is responsible for compliance with Indian laws and national security requirements.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Cochin Shipyard Launches Seventh ASW SWC Vessel: Cochin Shipyard Limited launched the seventh Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, INS Machilipatnam (BY 529), for the Indian Navy on 29 July 2026 in Kochi. The vessel belongs to the eight-ship Mahe-class ASW SWC project and is designed for coastal anti-submarine operations, low-intensity maritime operations, mine-laying, and subsurface surveillance. The Mahe-class ASW SWC project is an eight-vessel contract between Cochin Shipyard Limited and the Indian Navy. The project has over 80 per cent indigenous content and is linked to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing. The first vessel of the series, Mahe, was delivered on 23 October 2025, and the second vessel, INS Malvan, was delivered on 31 March 2026.

 

2. China Establishes High-Altitude Drone R&D Centre in Tibet: China established high-altitude drone testing and research facilities in Tibet in 2025 and 2026, including a testing base in Ngari and a Plateau Drone R&D Application Centre at Xizang University near Mount Everest. These facilities are located on the Tibetan Plateau, where low oxygen levels, cold temperatures, rugged terrain, and rapidly changing weather create conditions for unmanned aerial vehicle testing. The high-altitude unmanned equipment testing base was inaugurated in Ngari, western Tibet, on 28 September 2025. The site lies at elevations above 4,500 metres and is used to test unmanned aerial vehicles under thin air and cold turbulence. Satellite imagery dated 29 October 2025 showed a 720-metre runway and multiple hangars at the facility.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Sharmila Dhankar Creates History with Commonwealth Games Gold in Women’s Shot Put F57: India’s Sharmila Dhankar won the gold medal in the women’s shot put F57 event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games with a season-best throw of 9.81 metres. With this victory, Sharmila Dhankar became India’s first para-athlete to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal in athletics.

Shilpa Shyla secured the bronze medal with a throw of 7.26 metres, giving India a double podium finish in the women’s shot put F57 event.

 

2. Raja Muthupandi Wins Silver in Men’s 65 kg Weightlifting at Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026: India’s Raja Muthupandi won the silver medal in the men’s 65 kg weightlifting event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026, with a combined lift of 286 kg. The medal marked Raja Muthupandi’s third consecutive Commonwealth Games podium finish, following his gold medals at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022.

 

3. Esha Singh Wins Gold, Manu Bhaker Bags Bronze at ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou: India’s Esha Singh won the gold medal in the women’s 25 metre pistol event at the ISSF World Cup (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun) held in Hangzhou, China. Manu Bhaker claimed the bronze medal, giving India a double podium finish in the women’s 25 metre pistol

 

4. Gulveer Singh Creates History, Harjinder Kaur Wins Silver as India Shines at Commonwealth Games 2026: Gulveer Singh created history by winning the silver medal in the men’s 10,000 metres at the Commonwealth Games 2026, becoming the first Indian athlete to win a medal in the event with a timing of 27:49.78. Harjinder Kaur won the silver medal in the women’s 69 kg weightlifting event with a combined lift of 227 kg, earning her second consecutive Commonwealth Games medal after winning bronze at Birmingham 2022.

 

5. Dilip Gavit Leads India’s 1-2 Finish in 100m T47: India recorded a 1-2 finish in the men’s 100m T47 para athletics final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on 29 and 30 July 2026. Dilip Mahadu Gavit won gold with a Games record and season-best time of 10.71 seconds, while Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath won silver in 10.83 seconds. The T47 class in para athletics is used for athletes with unilateral upper limb impairment. The men’s 100m T47 is a sprint event conducted on a standard 100-metre track under World Para Athletics rules. India’s 1-2 finish gave the country its third gold medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. India’s overall medal tally reached 15, with three gold, nine silver, and three bronze medals.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Electronics Development Fund Investments: The Electronics Development Fund (EDF) is a Fund of Funds set up by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to support venture capital funds that invest in electronics and information technology enterprises. As of 30 June 2026, the EDF had invested Rs 257.77 crore in eight SEBI-registered venture capital funds, called Daughter Funds. The EDF operates as a Fund of Funds, which means it invests in venture capital funds rather than directly in startups. MeitY is the anchor investor in the fund, and Canbank Venture Capital Funds Ltd. serves as the fund manager. The EDF was created to support the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) sector and the Information Technology (IT) sector in India. The eight Daughter Funds supported by the EDF had invested Rs 1,335.77 crore in 128 startups and companies. Of these, 77 companies belonged to the ESDM sector and 51 companies belonged to the IT sector. The supported companies had also created or acquired 373 intellectual properties.

 

2. DAANVEER Gram Panchayat Digital Infrastructure: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched DAANVEER on 29 July 2026 in New Delhi as a citizen participation initiative for strengthening digital infrastructure in Gram Panchayats. The platform works through the Meri Panchayat mobile application and enables contributions of standardised, quality-verified computer bundles for eligible Gram Panchayats across India. DAANVEER is an end-to-end digital platform for citizen and organisational contributions to local governance institutions. It aims to support the digital equipment needs of nearly 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats, which function as the basic tier of rural local self-government under the Panchayati Raj system. The initiative integrates the Meri Panchayat app with the DigiHaat marketplace. Donors can select from pre-approved computer bundles mapped to state-specific technical specifications, and the platform routes contributions to eligible Gram Panchayats through a transparent digital process.

 

3. Rajasthan Issues First Rare Earth Exploration Licence: Rajasthan became the first state in India to execute an exploration licence for rare earth elements on 29 July 2026. The licence covers 207.63 square kilometres in the Navatala-Devigarh (Pachpadra) region of Balotra district and Shergarh tehsil of Jodhpur district. Rare earth elements are a group of 17 chemically similar metallic elements that include the 15 lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium. Lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium are among the REE minerals identified in the Rajasthan block. An exploration licence is a legal permission for prospecting and geological investigation before mineral extraction. The licence in Rajasthan was granted to the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited, and the agreement was executed by the Department of Mines and Geology of Rajasthan.

 

 

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Private Banks Collect ₹4,948.71 Crore in Minimum Balance Penalties During FY 2025–26: Private sector banks collected ₹4,948.71 crore as penalties for non-maintenance of Minimum Average Balance (MAB) in savings and current accounts during FY 2025–26. Public sector banks collected ₹2,137.92 crore as MAB penalties during the same financial year, significantly lower than private sector banks. Minimum Average Balance (MAB) is the minimum amount that customers are required to maintain in their bank account over a specified period, usually a month or a quarter.

 

2. Axis Finance Launches ‘Drishti’ to Strengthen Digital Credit Decision-Making: Axis Finance Limited (AFL) has launched ‘Axis Finance Drishti’, an in-house Business Rules Engine (BRE) to enable faster, automated, and data-driven credit decision-making across retail and MSME lending. Drishti aims to enhance risk monitoring, improve credit underwriting efficiency, ensure consistent lending decisions, and strengthen the company’s digital lending capabilities.

 

3. Vizag Port Handles 50.87% of Marine Exports in 2025: Visakhapatnam Port, also known as Vizag Port, handled 50.87% of India’s total marine product exports in FY 2024-25. The port accounted for 48.89% of India’s marine product exports in FY 2025-26, after a share of 29.67% in FY 2023-24. Visakhapatnam Port is one of India’s major ports on the eastern coast in Andhra Pradesh. It functions as a key gateway for cargo movement on the Bay of Bengal coast and handles bulk, container, and export cargo. Marine product exports include frozen shrimp, frozen fish, cuttlefish, squid, crab, and other seafood items. India’s marine product exports reached ₹72,325.82 crore, or $8.28 billion, in FY 2025-26, with a volume of 1.93 million tonnes.