Daily GK Update- 2nd Aug, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. OPEC+ Approves 188,000 BPD Oil Output Increase for September: OPEC+ approved a production increase of 188,000 barrels per day for September 2026 during a virtual meeting on 2 August 2026. The decision involved seven core members: Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman. The September increase completes the phased rollback of 1.65 million bpd in voluntary production cuts agreed in 2023. A separate layer of cuts of about 2 million bpd, introduced in 2022, remains in force until the end of 2026. Saudi Arabia and Russia are set to raise output by 62,000 bpd each for September. Iraq is expected to increase production by 26,000 bpd, taking its output to about 4.4 million bpd.

 

2. Assam Releases ₹160 Crore Interim Flood Relief: Assam released interim flood relief of about ₹160 crore on 3 August 2026 for families affected by recent floods in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts. The assistance was transferred directly to bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism, and each of nearly 75,000 worst-affected families received ₹15,000. Direct Benefit Transfer is a payment system in India that sends government benefits and subsidies directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. The DBT system is used for cash transfers, pension payments, scholarships and welfare schemes through Aadhaar-linked or bank-linked accounts. The Assam government used this mechanism for flood relief to provide immediate financial support to affected households. The first phase of assistance covered more than 60,000 families, and the beneficiary count may rise after further assessment.

 

3. Hyderabad to Host BRICS Anti-Corruption Meetings on 4-5 August: Hyderabad will host the second meeting of the BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group and the second meeting of the BRICS Expert Network on Asset Recovery on 4 and 5 August 2026. The meetings are being organised by the Department of Personnel and Training under India’s BRICS Presidency for 2026. The BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group is a forum of the BRICS grouping that deals with cooperation on anti-corruption measures among member countries. BRICS currently has 11 member countries, and the Hyderabad meeting is expected to bring together about 40 delegates from these countries. The BRICS Expert Network on Asset Recovery focuses on tracing, freezing, confiscating, and returning illicit assets across jurisdictions. The Hyderabad meetings will discuss international cooperation for asset recovery, cross-border corruption, illicit financial flows, transparency, and accountability in governance.

 

4. Lok Sabha Passes Supreme Court Judge Strength Bill: The Lok Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, on 3 August 2026 without debate. The Bill seeks to raise the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India. The Supreme Court of India was established under Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India. Article 124 provides for the composition of the Supreme Court, and Parliament has the power to regulate the number of judges by law. The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court was increased to 33 judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, through the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2019. That change raised the total strength to 34 judges, including the Chief Justice of India.

 

5. NCC Organises Cyclothon to Mark 79 Years of Independence: The National Cadet Corps organised Cyclothon 2026 on 2 August 2026 in New Delhi to commemorate 79 years of India’s Independence. The event began and ended at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium and included a symbolic 79-kilometre ride by 79 NCC cadets. Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth flagged off the event at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Olympic medalist M.C. Mary Kom, and tennis player Leander Paes were present at the ceremony. The cyclothon was organised under the theme “Clean India, Green India, Fit India”. The event was linked with national initiatives such as TB Mukt Bharat, Swachh Bharat, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, and Har Ghar Tiranga.

 

6. Maharashtra Anti-Conversion Law Comes into Force: The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, also called the anti-conversion law, came into force on 30 July 2026 after publication in the official gazette. President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the Bill on 31 July 2026, and the Bill had already been passed by both Houses of the Maharashtra state legislature in the budget session of March 2026. The law makes religious conversion through force, coercion, fraud, undue influence, allurement, misrepresentation, or deception related to marriage a punishable offence. It also requires a person intending to convert to another religion to inform the district magistrate at least 60 days in advance and to follow the prescribed procedure after conversion.

 

7. Rajasthan CM Launches Rs 491-Cr Projects in Rajsamand: Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 347 development projects worth over Rs 491 crore in Rajsamand district on 2 August 2026. The event was held at Bhikshu Nilayam in Rajsamand and covered works in roads, water supply, electricity, industry, employment, health, and urban infrastructure. Of the 347 projects, 266 works costing over Rs 369 crore were inaugurated. Foundation stones were laid for 81 projects with a total cost of over Rs 122 crore. The projects included road construction, urban infrastructure in the Rajsamand municipal council area, rural water supply schemes, a community health centre building, and a milk processing unit in Nathdwara. During the function, motorised tricycles were distributed to specially-abled persons. Benefit cheques under various schemes, loan cheques to women self-help groups under Rajeevika, and compassionate appointment letters to COVID-19 orphans were also distributed. Rajeevika is the Rajasthan Rural Livelihoods Development Council, which works with women self-help groups in the state.

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Plans ₹45,000 Crore Railway Upgrade along China, Pakistan and Bangladesh Borders: India plans to invest ₹45,000 crore in railway infrastructure along the borders with China, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The programme covers new tracks, platforms and network strengthening in border states and is scheduled for implementation over the next 18 to 24 months. The project includes railway works in Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam and other north-eastern states. The planned works include construction of new tracks, addition of platforms and strengthening of existing rail links for all-weather operations. The programme covers areas linked to the Siliguri Corridor and Himalayan regions, which are important for connectivity between mainland India and the north-east. Border rail links in these regions are used for movement across difficult terrain and for supply chain continuity.

 

2. Vishwesh Negi Appointed India’s Next Ambassador to Iran: Vishwesh Negi, an Indian Foreign Service officer of the 2002 batch, was appointed on 3 August 2026 as India’s next Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran. He is serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi and is expected to take up his assignment in Tehran shortly. India and Iran maintain diplomatic relations through embassies in New Delhi and Tehran. The Ambassador of India to Iran heads the Indian mission in Tehran and represents India in bilateral political, economic, and consular matters. West Asia includes countries such as Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman. India’s relations with West Asia cover energy imports, trade, diaspora welfare, maritime security, and connectivity projects.

 

3. Andhra Pradesh, Australia Sign Four MoUs on Clean Energy: Andhra Pradesh and Australia signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in Amaravati on 2 August 2026 for cooperation in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, inclusive education, student mental health, and skill development. The agreements involved institutions and agencies from Andhra Pradesh and Australia, including the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, IIT Tirupati, Samagra Shiksha, the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education, and the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation. The first MoU links the Andhra Pradesh government’s Centre of Excellence for Energy Transition (CoEET), IIT Tirupati, and UNSW Sydney. The agreement provides for a Centre of Excellence for Solar Manufacturing at IIT Tirupati. The centre will focus on solar photovoltaic manufacturing, solar panel recycling, circular economy practices, industry-driven research, and specialised training.

 

4. India Approves One Chinese FDI Proposal Under Screening Process: India approved one Chinese Foreign Direct Investment proposal worth ₹1 crore during financial year 2025-26, while 13 proposals from Hong Kong were cleared for ₹610.42 crore in the same period. The approvals were processed under the government route, which requires prior approval for specified foreign investments in India. Press Note 3 was issued in April 2020 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. It requires prior government approval for investments from countries that share a land border with India, including China, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The policy was introduced during the COVID-19 period to regulate acquisitions and takeovers of Indian companies by investors from land-border countries. The screening mechanism applies to direct and indirect investment proposals that fall within the notified framework.

 

5. Self-Enumeration Begins for India’s 16th Census in West Bengal: India’s 16th Census is being conducted in two phases during 2026 and 2027 after postponement from 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. West Bengal began its digital self-enumeration phase on 1 August 2026, and the national House Listing and Housing Census phase started on 1 April 2026. The Census of India is conducted under the Census Act, 1948, by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The census is the largest population enumeration exercise in India and covers households, persons, housing conditions, and selected socio-economic details. The 16th Census is India’s first fully digital census. Residents in West Bengal can submit details through a mobile application or the official census portal from 1 August to 15 August 2026. The self-enumeration portal is available in 16 languages for household-level data entry.

 

6. Nauru Becomes Republic of Naoero: The Pacific island nation of Nauru has officially adopted the name Republic of Naoero. The change was confirmed by President David Adeang on 31 July 2026 after a constitutional amendment was passed by the parliament in May 2026. Naoero is the indigenous name of the island and Nauru is a colonial alteration of that name. The government dropped plans for a national referendum and treated Naoero as the existing identity of the people rather than a new name requiring public approval. The official abbreviated name is now Naoero, the country code is NRO, and citizens are referred to as dei-Naoero. The United Nations received formal notification of the change on 26 June 2026 and has begun updating official records.

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Exercise ROTOR CLAP III Concludes in Rajasthan: The Indian Air Force concluded Exercise ROTOR CLAP III at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, on 1–2 August 2026. The rotary-wing exercise was themed Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems and involved multiple helicopter units of the Indian Air Force. The exercise involved AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, Mi-25/35 gunships, HAL Prachand light combat helicopters, and Chinook, Mi-17, and Dhruv transport and utility helicopters. These platforms represent different roles in attack, lift, transport, and utility missions within the Indian Air Force. Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems refers to methods used to detect, track, identify, and defeat drones and other unmanned aerial threats. The exercise tested operational concepts against emerging drone threats and examined tactics and procedures for helicopter-based responses.

2. India Launches Fifth Diving Support Craft DSC A24: The Indian Navy launched DSC A24, the fifth and final vessel under its Diving Support Craft Project, on 1 August 2026 at Titagarh Rail Systems Limited shipyard in Kolkata. The five-ship programme was contracted by the Ministry of Defence on 12 February 2021 and was completed in about five and a half years. DSC A24 and the other vessels in the class use a catamaran-hull form. The catamaran design provides greater stability and deck space, and the vessels have a displacement in the range of 300 to 400 tonnes. The craft are fitted with diving systems for operational dives, underwater inspection, salvage assistance, and coastal deployment. The vessel class was built by Titagarh Rail Systems Limited, which was earlier known as Titagarh Wagons Limited.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Cabinet Approves Rs 36,441-Crore Sports Push Under Khelo India: The Union Cabinet approved a revamped Khelo India Scheme and an enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations Scheme on 31 July 2026. The combined outlay is Rs 36,441 crore for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31. The package covers grassroots talent identification, athlete development, sports infrastructure, and support for national federations. Khelo India is a Government of India programme for sports development at the school, college, district, and elite levels. The revamped scheme is designed to create an integrated sports ecosystem through National Centres of Excellence, Khelo India Centres of Excellence, and Khelo India Accredited Academies. The approved outlay is nearly eight times higher than that of the previous Khelo India Scheme.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Indian Railways Approves Danapur–Fatuha Multitracking Project: Indian Railways approved a ₹976 crore multitracking project for the 29 km Danapur–Fatuha section of the East Central Railway in Bihar on 1 August 2026. The project covers line capacity expansion on the Patna rail corridor and includes third and fourth railway lines on selected stretches between Danapur, Patna, Rajendra Nagar, Patna Saheb and Fatuha. The approved work includes third and fourth lines between Danapur and Patna, a third line between Rajendra Nagar and Patna Saheb, and third and fourth lines between Patna Saheb and Fatuha. The 29 km stretch lies in Bihar and forms part of the busy rail network around Patna. In the first year of operation, the project is expected to support 22 additional passenger trains and 18 additional freight trains daily. It is also projected to enable movement of an additional 5.2 million tonnes of freight annually.

 

2. New Catfish Species Discovered in Odisha Named After Legendary Tigress Khairi: Pseudolaguvia khairii is a new freshwater catfish species discovered in the Budhabalanga river in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha. The species was described in the international taxonomic journal Zootaxa on 26 July 2026 and was named after Khairi, an orphaned Royal Bengal tigress. Pseudolaguvia is a genus of small hillstream catfishes found in fast-flowing rivers across India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar. The genus belongs to the order Siluriformes, which includes all catfishes. Khairi was rescued as an orphaned cub from the Similipal forests in the 1970s. She was raised by conservationist Saroj Raj Choudhury and his wife, Nihar Nalini Swain, and became associated with wildlife conservation and human-animal bonding in Odisha.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IRDAI Tightens Approval Rules for Insurer Ownership Changes: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has amended the rules on transfer of shares and ownership changes in insurers under the IRDAI (Registration, Capital Structure, Transfer of Shares and Amalgamation of Insurers) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026. The revised framework requires prior approval for shareholding changes at key thresholds of 5%, 10%, 25%, 50% and 75%, and also when an investor becomes the single largest shareholder. IRDAI is the statutory regulator for the insurance sector in India under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999. The authority regulates registration, capital structure, transfer of shares, amalgamation and other prudential aspects of insurers, including life insurers, general insurers and re-insurers. In the amended framework, prior approval is required when an investor’s holding crosses the specified thresholds or when shares are transferred within promoter groups. Dilution caused by existing shareholders not participating in a fresh issue of shares is also treated as a transfer event for approval purposes.

 

2. Centre Releases ₹1.09 Lakh Crore Tax Devolution: The Union government released an additional ₹1,09,019 crore to state governments as tax devolution on 1 August 2026. The transfer was made before the regular monthly tax devolution due on 10 August 2026. The Finance Ministry linked the early release to state finances and capital and developmental expenditure. Tax devolution is the transfer of a share of the Union government’s net tax proceeds to states under the Finance Commission framework. Under the current formula, states receive 41% of the net tax proceeds collected by the Union government. This transfer is a constitutional mechanism for fiscal federalism in India. Uttar Pradesh received ₹19,208 crore, which was the largest share in the additional instalment. Bihar received ₹10,845 crore, and Madhya Pradesh received ₹8,010 crore. West Bengal received ₹7,866 crore, Maharashtra received ₹7,022 crore, and Rajasthan received ₹6,460 crore.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. NSA Ajit Doval Receives Lokmanya Tilak National Award: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval received the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 on 1 August 2026 in Pune, Maharashtra. The award was presented by the Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust on the 106th death anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the award at the ceremony. Ajit Doval is a 1968-batch Indian Police Service officer and the longest-serving National Security Adviser of India. He has been associated with counter-terrorism operations, strategic intelligence, border security, and diplomatic handling of the Doklam standoff and the Balakot air strike. The National Security Adviser heads the National Security Council Secretariat and advises the Prime Minister on internal and external security matters.

 

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.