Daily GK Update- 3rd Aug, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. ADB Approves USD 850 Million Loan to Boost PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an USD 850 million loan to support the Government of India’s Prime Minister Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG-MBY) and accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar systems across the country. The financing aims to expand clean energy access, promote renewable energy generation, reduce electricity costs for households, and strengthen India’s transition towards sustainable energy. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in February 2024, seeks to install rooftop solar systems in 1 crore households, enabling eligible families to receive up to 300 units of free electricity per month.

 

2. Chhattisgarh Government Launches ‘DWEEPTI Yojana’ for Women-Led Solar Entrepreneurship.: The Government of Chhattisgarh launched the DWEEPTI (Decentralised Women Empowerment on Energy and Policy for Transformative Inclusion) Yojana in July 2026 to promote women-led solar entrepreneurship across the state. DWEEPTI Yojana is India’s first women-led distributed renewable energy policy, designed to empower Self-Help Groups (SHGs) as solar entrepreneurs while promoting clean energy adoption and women’s economic empowerment.

 

3. Union Cabinet Approves ₹5,070 Crore Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY): The Union Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) with a total outlay of ₹5,070 crore to promote floating solar photovoltaic (PV) projects with Energy Storage Systems (ESS). The scheme aims to develop 5,000 MW of floating solar capacity with co-located energy storage of at least 2 hours, totalling 10,000 MWh, over a five-year period. PM-SSY will utilize existing reservoirs, canals, and industrial ponds, eliminating the need for additional land acquisition while promoting clean energy generation and efficient use of water bodies.

 

4. Cabinet Approves Extension of PM-KISAN Till 2030–31; Clears ₹84,084 Crore Samudra Manthan Scheme: The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme from 2026–27 to 2030–31 with a total financial outlay of ₹3.15 lakh crore. Under PM-KISAN, more than ₹4.47 lakh crore has been transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts through 23 Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) installments, supporting timely investment in agricultural inputs. The Cabinet also approved the National Offshore Exploration Scheme – Samudra Manthan with an outlay of ₹84,084 crore for implementation up to FY 2030–31, aimed at strengthening India’s offshore exploration ecosystem.

 

5. Centre Extends K. Rajaraman’s Tenure as IFSCA Chairperson Till October 2028: The Central Government has extended the tenure of K. Rajaraman as the Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) beyond 31 July 2026. Rajaraman will continue in the role until he attains the age of 65 years in October 2028 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

6. Manish Agarwal Assumes Charge as General Manager of Integral Coach Factory (ICF): Manish Agarwal has assumed charge as the General Manager (GM) of Integral Coach Factory (ICF), succeeding U. Subba Rao, who has taken over as the General Manager of Southern Railway. An Indian Railways Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) 1989 batch officer, Agarwal has over 35 years of service in Indian Railways, holding several key positions across the country.

 

7. 1 August – National Mountain Climbing Day: National Mountain Climbing Day is observed every year on 1 August to celebrate the spirit of mountaineering, adventure, and exploration. The day commemorates the achievements of Bobby Matthews and his friend Josh Madigan, who climbed the 46 High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains (New York, USA).

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi Inaugurates Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh, and dedicated development projects worth over ₹17,900 crore to the nation. The Greenfield airport has been developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at a cost of over ₹5,640 crore and has an annual passenger handling capacity of 6 million. The airport features AI, Building Information Modelling (BIM), Airside 4.0, Airport Predictive Operations Centre (APOC), biometric passenger processing, and automated baggage handling systems, ensuring smart, efficient, and sustainable operations.

 

2. Ngulkham Jathom Gangte Appointed as India’s Next Ambassador to Mexico: Ngulkham Jathom Gangte was appointed as India’s next Ambassador to Mexico. He was serving as Special Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) before this appointment. An Ambassador is the head of a country’s diplomatic mission and represents India in bilateral relations with the host nation. Ambassadors are appointed to countries with which India has full diplomatic relations.

 

3. 1 August – World Wide Web Day: World Wide Web Day is observed every year on 1 August to celebrate the invention and global impact of the World Wide Web (WWW). The World Wide Web was invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, revolutionizing communication, education, and access to information. The day highlights the importance of the internet, digital connectivity, innovation, and the free exchange of information across the world.

 

4. 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.

 

5. 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 border railway plan is designed as dual-use infrastructure, a term used for facilities that support both civilian transport and military logistics. Such rail lines can carry passengers, freight and defence supplies on the same network.

 

6. 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.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Navy Receives Indigenous Diving Support Vessel ‘Nipun’ from Hindustan Shipyard Limited: ‘Nipun’, the second indigenously built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), was delivered to the Indian Navy by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) at Visakhapatnam. The first DSV, ‘Nistar’, was commissioned into the Navy in July 2025. Built in accordance with the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules, Nipun has around 75% indigenous content, reinforcing the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative in defence shipbuilding. The vessel is equipped to undertake deep-sea diving, submarine rescue, underwater repair, and salvage operations, significantly enhancing the Indian Navy’s underwater operational and rescue capabilities.

 

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. Ajinkya Rahane Announces Retirement from International Cricket Across All Formats: Former India Test captain Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, ending a distinguished international career in which he scored 8,414 runs.

Rahane retired with a 100% winning record as India’s Test captain, never losing a Test match while leading the national team. His greatest captaincy achievement came in the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when he guided India to a historic 2–1 series victory in Australia after the team had lost the opening Test at Adelaide.

 

2. 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.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. TRAI Revamps MyCall App for Call Quality Assessment: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) launched a revamped version of its MyCall mobile application on 3 August 2026. The application allows telecom consumers to rate voice-call quality in real time and to report technical issues linked to call performance. The updated MyCall app includes multilingual support, feedback history, and coverage test options. The application is currently available for Android devices, while TRAI is in discussions with Apple for availability on the App Store. TRAI is the statutory regulator for telecommunications in India under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. The authority issues regulations and quality-of-service frameworks for telecom networks and service providers. TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti stated on 3 August 2026 that the feedback would help service providers identify network deficiencies and improve customer satisfaction. The collected data will not be used for punitive action against telecom operators.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Delhi High Court Orders Winding-Up of Paytm Payments Bank After RBI Cancels Licence: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) on 24 April 2026 over persistent regulatory non-compliance and concerns that its operations were detrimental to the interests of depositors. The Delhi High Court subsequently ordered the winding-up of Paytm Payments Bank under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and the Companies Act, 2013, acting on RBI’s application. The Court appointed Girikumar M. Nair, former Chief General Manager of SBI, as the Official Liquidator, who assumed the powers of the bank’s Board to oversee the liquidation process.

 

2. Google Pay and SBI Card Launch ‘Google Pay Flex SBI Card’ with Rewards up to ₹18,000 Annually: Google Pay and SBI Card have launched the Google Pay Flex SBI Card, a co-branded credit card that offers rewards worth up to ₹18,000 annually, flexible bill repayment options, and complete in-app credit card management through Google Pay. The card is designed to reward everyday spending on categories such as groceries, utility bill payments, travel, and shopping, enhancing value for frequent digital payment users.

 

3. IRDAI Grants Licence to ProTec General Insurance, Approves Fourth Insurance Company in 2026: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has granted a Certificate of Registration to ProTec General Insurance Ltd., a joint venture between the M Pallonji Group and True North’s Divya Sehgal, enabling it to commence general insurance business. ProTec General Insurance is the fourth insurance company to receive an IRDAI licence in 2026, following approvals for Kiwi General Insurance, Prudential HCL Health Insurance, and Allianz Jio Reinsurance. IRDAI stated that the approvals reflect strong investor confidence in India’s insurance sector and the impact of reforms under the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (SBSR) Act, including the provision allowing 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector.

 

4. Bajaj Finserv Approves Entry into India’s Reinsurance Business: Bajaj Finserv has approved its entry into the reinsurance business, subject to approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). With this move, Bajaj Finserv becomes the third private player in about a year to announce plans to enter India’s domestic reinsurance market, following Valueattics Re and Allianz-Jio Reinsurance. The growing interest in India’s reinsurance sector is driven by economic growth, regulatory reforms, rising insurance demand, and efforts to retain more risk, premiums, and underwriting capacity within the country.

 

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.