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29 Jul 2026, 04:36 PM
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Daily Current Affairs 24 July
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS
24 JULY 2026
Comprehensive, exam-oriented daily compilation featuring analysis of key national and international developments.
Polity, Governance & Social Issues
Appointments
24 July 2026
Anurag Jain Appointed as New Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog
- ACC Appointment: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed **Anurag Jain** (1989-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre) as the Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog on **July 22, 2026**.
- Term Length: Jain will hold the post of NITI Aayog CEO for a period of **two years**. He succeeds B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, whose extended term concluded on February 24, 2026.
- Previous Experience: Previously served as Secretary in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and held key roles in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and PM GatiShakti.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
NITI Aayog: Established on **January 1, 2015**, replacing the Planning Commission. The Prime Minister of India serves as its ex-officio Chairperson, and the CEO holds the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
FCRA Bill
24 July 2026
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 Seeks to Amend FCRA 2010
- Legislative Proposal: The **Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026** is currently pending in Parliament, designed to address legal gaps and enhance transparency in foreign contributions.
- Asset Vesting: The Bill proposes the "provisional vesting" of foreign-funded assets with authorities if an organization's FCRA certificate is cancelled, surrendered, or expires without renewal.
- Key Functionaries: Introduces a formal definition and increased statutory accountability for key functionaries (directors, trustees, office-bearers). The separate **FCRA Rules, 2026** came into force on June 22, 2026.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
FCRA Act, 2010: Regulates the acceptance and utilization of foreign hospitality or foreign contributions by individuals, associations, or companies to safeguard national interest. Under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Foreign Appointment
24 July 2026
UK Appoints Bihar-Born Kanishka Narayan as Its First AI Minister with Cabinet Status
- Cabinet Rank: Kanishka Narayan, born in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, was appointed as the United Kingdom's first-ever **Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence (AI)** with full Cabinet-level status under Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- Constituency: Narayan is the Member of Parliament (MP) representing the **Vale of Glamorgan**, becoming Wales' first-ever ethnic minority MP.
- AI Governance: In his role, Narayan will oversee AI policy, digital safety, and safety research frameworks. He is a graduate of Balliol College, Oxford, and Stanford University.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
AI Safety Institute: The UK is home to the world's first state-backed AI Safety Institute (AISI), established in 2023 to evaluate safety risks associated with frontier AI models.
Workplace Wellness
24 July 2026
'Prakriti Cafe' Inaugurated in New Delhi by Ministry of Ayush to Promote Healthy Eating
- Wellness Cafรฉ: The Ministry of Ayush inaugurated **"Prakriti Cafรฉ"** at Ayush Bhawan in New Delhi as a workplace wellness initiative to promote healthy diet practices based on **Ayush Ahaar**.
- Target & Aim: Aims to combat junk food habits and lifestyle-related health problems among desk-bound working professionals (primarily aged 30-55).
- Nutritious Menu: Replaces refined sugar and processed foods with traditional options like millet dhokla, vegetable upma, beetroot oats cutlets, jaggery-sweetened makhana kheer, fresh coconut water, and herbal tulsi-ginger tea.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
Ministry of Ayush: Established in **2014** (formerly a department under Health Ministry). AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy.
International Relations, Economy & Business
Nuclear Deal
24 July 2026
United States and Saudi Arabia Sign Historic "Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation Agreement"
- 123 Agreement: The United States and Saudi Arabia signed a "peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement," commonly referred to as a **"123 Agreement"** (Section 123 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act of 1954) on **July 22, 2026**.
- Key Signatories: The pact was signed in Washington by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. It will undergo a 90-day review period by the U.S. Congress.
- Conditions & Verification: The administration highlighted that the deal contains strong nonproliferation safeguards. However, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the deal is conditional on Saudi Arabia joining the **Abraham Accords** to normalize ties with Israel.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act: Requires the U.S. to establish a formal agreement containing specific nonproliferation criteria before transferring nuclear material, equipment, or technology to a foreign partner.
PLI Scheme
24 July 2026
Maharashtra Tops National List under the PLI-Auto Scheme with 66 Manufacturing Units
- State Rankings: As of March 31, 2026, **Maharashtra** has emerged as the leading state in India under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the automobile and auto component industry, establishing **66 manufacturing units**.
- National Summary: According to the Ministry of Heavy Industries, a total of **225 units** have been established across India. Following Maharashtra, **Tamil Nadu** ranks second (38 units), and **Haryana** third (35 units).
- Cumulative Impact: The scheme has driven a cumulative investment of **Rs. 44,326 crore**, generated **67,820 jobs**, and recorded incremental sales of **Rs. 52,414 crore** over the base year.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
PLI-Auto Scheme: Launched in 2021 with a budget outlay of Rs. 25,938 crore, the scheme aims to incentivize domestic manufacturing of Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) products and electric vehicles (EVs) in India.
Digital Commerce
24 July 2026
IAMAI Launches the 'E-Commerce Council of India' (ECCI) in Bengaluru
- National Council: The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) officially launched the **E-Commerce Council of India (ECCI)** in Bengaluru on **July 17, 2026**.
- Objectives: The ECCI is a unified national platform designed to represent India's $120 billion digital commerce market. It will facilitate structured policy advocacy, MSME integration, AI implementation, and cross-border trade logistics.
- Participants: Unites major e-commerce marketplaces (Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho), payments firms, logistics providers, D2C brands, and technology developers to present a common industry voice.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
IAMAI: Established in **2004**, it is a not-for-profit industry body representing the digital services sector in India, including mobile content, digital advertising, e-commerce, and online payments.
Environment, Infrastructure, Science & Technology
Industrial Disaster
24 July 2026
Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Sikkim Suffers Critical Tunnel Accident
- Tunnel Incident: On July 20, 2026, a fatal methane gas explosion occurred inside the under-construction ADIT-3 tunnel of the **Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project** at Samardung in Namchi district, Sikkim.
- Rescue & Casualties: A massive multi-agency rescue operation (NDRF and SDRF) concluded on July 24, 2026, confirming that all 25 trapped workers perished due to toxic fumes and collapse.
- Project Details: The **500 MW run-of-river project** is executed by state-run **NHPC Limited**, which acquired the assets of Lanco Teesta Hydro Power Limited (LTHPL) in 2019. The state government has ordered a high-level inquiry.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
NHPC Limited: Formerly National Hydroelectric Power Corporation. Established in 1975, it is a Category-I Mini Ratna CPSE under the Ministry of Power, headquartered in Faridabad, Haryana.
Mine Closure Report
24 July 2026
Ministry of Coal Releases 'AAROH' - India's First Annual Report on Mine Closure
- Report Released: Union Ministry of Coal released **'AAROH' (Annual Report on Mine Closure)** on **July 22, 2026**, serving as the country's first comprehensive document detailing scientific mine closure and land reclamation.
- Mine Profiling: Profiles the successful closure and ecological transformation of **42 coal mines** into ecological reserves, detailing post-mining land use with before-and-after visuals and QR code-enabled documentary videos.
- Institutional Frameworks: Highlights the **RECLAIM** (community engagement), **L.I.V.E.S.** (productive land reuse), and **SUVIKALP** (digital decision support tool) frameworks, alongside a dedicated **Rs. 40,000 crore corpus** for closures.
- International Accord: India signed an Implementation Agreement with Germany's **GIZ** (EUR 10 million project until 2030) for technical cooperation in mine closure.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
Mine Reclamation: Focuses on transitioning mining lands into forests, eco-parks, and fisheries. Ministry also inaugurated **Coal NEER Plants** to provide treated mine water as clean drinking water.
Climate Action
24 July 2026
Killai Becomes Tamil Nadu's First Fully Operational Climate Resilient Village
- State's First: On July 22, 2026, **Killai** in Cuddalore district became Tamil Nadu's first fully operational **Climate Resilient Village (CRV)**.
- Project Outlay: Developed under the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission (TNCCM) in partnership with WRI India, with an investment of **Rs. 230.15 lakh**.
- Ecological Measures: Features desilting a 3-km stretch of the Buckingham Canal, planting 3,000 native mangrove saplings, and removing invasive *Prosopis juliflora*.
- Green Tech: Public buildings have been solarized, and a solar-powered e-boat has been introduced for eco-tourism in the Pichavaram mangrove creeks.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
Pichavaram Mangroves: Located near Chidambaram, Pichavaram is the second largest mangrove forest in the world, separated from the Bay of Bengal by a sand bar. Designated a Ramsar site in 2022.
Citizen Science
24 July 2026
Campus Biodiversity Register (CBR) Initiative Launched for Higher Educational Institutions
- National Launch: The **Campus Biodiversity Register (CBR)** initiative was launched in **July 2026** by the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).
- Objective: Aims to systematically document the plant, bird, insect, butterfly, and mammal populations within educational campuses across India to create local biodiversity datasets.
- Platform-Based: Students and faculties will record observations on citizen science platforms like **iNaturalist**, **eBird**, and **SeasonWatch**. Registration closes in November 2026, with documentation finishing in June 2027.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA): Established in **2003** under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, it is a statutory autonomous body regulating biodiversity access and fair benefit sharing.
Rail Electrification
24 July 2026
Indian Railways Achieves 99.6% Electrification of Its Broad-Gauge Network
- Milestone Reached: As of July 2026, Indian Railways has achieved **99.6% electrification** of its entire broad-gauge network. This places India as the **world's second-most electrified large railway system**, behind only Switzerland (100%).
- Rapid Acceleration: Between 2014 and 2026, Indian Railways electrified **48,072 route kilometres**, representing a massive increase compared to only 21,801 route kilometres in the six decades before 2014.
- Environmental Impacts: The shift from diesel has reduced annual diesel consumption from 293 crore litres in 2015-16 to 108 crore litres in 2024-25. To support this, over 1,260 MW of renewable energy capacity (solar/wind) was commissioned.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
Global Comparison: India's electrification rate of 99.6% is far ahead of other major economies, including China (82%), Spain (67%), Japan (64%), France (60%), and the UK (39%).
Arts, Culture, Awards & Sports
Broadcasting Day
24 July 2026
National Broadcasting Day 2026 Celebrated Across India on July 23
- Annual Celebration: National Broadcasting Day is celebrated annually on **July 23** in India to commemorate the start of organized radio broadcasting in the country.
- Historical Origin: On July 23, 1927, the private **Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC)** made the first-ever organized radio broadcast from its Bombay station.
- Evolution: The government took over in 1930 forming the Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS), renamed **All India Radio (AIR)** in 1936, and adopting the name **Akashvani** in 1957. The first FM service was launched in Chennai in 1977.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
Prasar Bharati: Established in **1997**, it is India's largest public broadcasting agency, acting as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, comprising Akashvani and Doordarshan.
Historic Expedition
24 July 2026
Tri-Services Sailing Expedition 'Samudra Pradakshina' Completes Global Circumnavigation
- Expedition Completed: India's first all-women tri-services circumnavigation sailing expedition **'Samudra Pradakshina'** successfully returned to Mumbai on **July 22, 2026**, after a **314-day** voyage.
- The Crew & Vessel: The 9-member crew comprising officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force sailed **25,500 nautical miles** aboard the indigenously built 50-foot **IASV Triveni**.
- Capes Rounded: The expedition rounded the three great capes - Cape Leeuwin (Australia), Cape Horn (South America), and Cape of Good Hope (Africa) - earning the crew membership in the prestigious **Cape Horners** fraternity.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
Circumnavigation Rules: A true circumnavigation must cover at least 21,600 nautical miles, cross the Equator twice, cross all meridians of longitude, and finish at the starting port.
MMA Champion
24 July 2026
Sangram Singh Becomes First Indian to Win the MMA STRIKE Asia Championship Title
- Championship Win: Renowned Indian wrestler-turned-fighter **Sangram Singh** won the prestigious **STRIKE Asia Championship** title in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on **July 19, 2026**.
- The Match: Defeated Pakistani fighter **Mohammed Abid Ali** (Mohammad Buta) in just **80 seconds** of the first round via a knockout using an ankle lock and choke submission.
- Unbeaten Record: This landmark win extends Sangram Singh's professional MMA record to an undefeated **4-0**, establishing him as the first Indian to claim this continental MMA title.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
MMA in India: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is gaining rapid popularity in India, supported by the national federation and athletes transitioning from traditional kushti (wrestling) and wushu.
Commonwealth Games
24 July 2026
Mirabai Chanu Leads India as Flag Bearer at Glasgow 2026 Opening Ceremony
- Indian Flag Bearer: Star weightlifter **Mirabai Chanu** proudly carried the Indian Tricour Flag during the Parade of Nations at the opening ceremony of the **Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games** on July 23, 2026.
- Baton Bearer: Olympic medalist boxer **Lovlina Borgohain** served as the Baton Bearer for the Indian contingent.
- New Format: The 23rd Commonwealth Games introduced a Parade format of exactly one Flag Bearer and one Baton Bearer per nation to ensure a streamlined ceremony.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
Mirabai Chanu: A Padma Shri and Khel Ratna awardee, she won gold at the 2018 Gold Coast and 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Represented India in the women's 49 kg category.
Arts & Film
24 July 2026
Jharkhand's First Film and Television Institute (JFTI) to Be Established in Ranchi
- MoU Signed: The Jharkhand Film Development Corporation Limited (JFDCL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the **Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata** on **July 22, 2026**.
- Ranchi Campus: The new **Jharkhand Film and Television Institute (JFTI)** will operate initially out of Suchna Bhawan in Ranchi, offering professional training to local youth.
- Curriculum: JFTI will initially offer short-term certificate courses (1 to 6 months) in screenwriting, editing, direction, and sound design under SRFTI's academic oversight.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
SRFTI, Kolkata: Established in **1995** by the Government of India as an autonomous academic institution under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Named after filmmaker Satyajit Ray.
Mountaineering
24 July 2026
8-Year-Old Iya Krish Becomes Youngest Asian to Summit Mount Toubkal in Morocco
- Historic Climb: **Iya Krish**, an eight-year-old girl from Thrissur, Kerala, successfully summited **Mount Toubkal** (4,167 meters) in Morocco on **July 7, 2026**, becoming the youngest person from Asia to achieve this feat.
- Preparation: The UAE-based student trained with weekend mountain hikes and Kalaripayattu, completing the climb alongside her father Krishna Raj.
- North African Peak: Mount Toubkal is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains and the entire North African region.
STATIC GK & EXAM FACTS
Atlas Mountains: A mountain range in northwestern Africa, stretching through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, separating the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines from the Sahara Desert.
โก ONE-LINER QUICK REVISION POINTERS (24 JULY 2026)
- NITI Aayog CEO: IAS officer Anurag Jain appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer for a two-year term.
- Glasgow 2026: Mirabai Chanu (Flag Bearer) and Lovlina Borgohain (Baton Bearer) led the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony.
- FCRA Amendment: The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 proposes provisional vesting of assets of cancelled/expired NGOs with the government.
- Teesta Stage-VI: Tragic tunnel explosion due to suspected methane gas in Samardung, Sikkim resulted in the loss of 25 workers.
- AAROH Mine Closure: India's first mine closure annual report released by the Ministry of Coal, profiling 42 closed mines and announcing Rs. 40,000 crore corpus.
- UK AI Minister: Kanishka Narayan, Wales' first ethnic minority MP from Muzaffarpur (Bihar), appointed as UK's first AI Minister with Cabinet rank.
- Climate Resilient Village: Killai in Cuddalore district became Tamil Nadu's first fully operational CRV under TNCCM.
- Jharkhand Film Institute: JFDCL signed an MoU with SRFTI Kolkata to establish the state's first film institute (JFTI) in Ranchi.
- Youngest Asian to Summit: 8-year-old Iya Krish from Thrissur scaled Mount Toubkal (4,167 m), the highest peak in North Africa.
- Campus Biodiversity Register: Nationwide initiative launched by NCF and NBA to document flora and fauna on educational campuses.
- US-Saudi 123 Agreement: US and Saudi Arabia signed a peaceful nuclear cooperation pact, subject to Abraham Accords conditions.
- PLI Auto Rankings: Maharashtra leads with 66 Advanced Automotive Technology manufacturing units out of 225 units nationwide.
- E-Commerce Council of India: ECCI launched by IAMAI in Bengaluru to unify the $120 billion digital commerce sector.
- Railway Electrification: Indian Railways achieved 99.6% broad-gauge electrification, becoming the second largest electrified network globally after Switzerland.
- National Broadcasting Day 2026: Celebrated on July 23 to mark the first organized radio broadcast by IBC in Bombay in 1927.
- Prakriti Cafe: Inaugurated at Ayush Bhawan in New Delhi by Ayush Ministry to promote healthy Ayush Ahaar food items in workplaces.
- Samudra Pradakshina: India's first tri-services all-women circumnavigation expedition aboard IASV Triveni completed its 314-day global voyage.
- MMA Asian Champion: Sangram Singh won the STRIKE Asia title in Kuala Lumpur, defeating Mohammad Abid Ali in 80 seconds.
Appendix: Governors & Swearing-In Dates of States & UTs
| S.No. | State / UT | Chief Minister / Administrator | Governor / Lt. Governor | Swearing-In Date / Taking Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | N. Chandrababu Naidu | S. Abdul Nazeer | 12 June 2024 |
| 2 | Arunachal Pradesh | Pema Khandu | Lt. Gen. Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik | 13 June 2024 |
| 3 | Assam | Himanta Biswa Sarma | Lakshman Prasad Acharya | 10 May 2021 / 30 July 2024 |
| 4 | Bihar | Nitish Kumar | Rajendra Arlekar | 28 January 2024 / 17 February 2023 |
| 5 | Chhattisgarh | Vishnu Deo Sai | Ramen Deka | 13 December 2023 / 31 July 2024 |
| 6 | Goa | Pramod Sawant | P.S. Sreedharan Pillai | 28 March 2022 / 15 July 2021 |
| 7 | Gujarat | Bhupendra Patel | Acharya Devvrat | 12 December 2022 / 22 July 2019 |
| 8 | Haryana | Nayab Singh Saini | Bandaru Dattatreya | 17 October 2024 / 15 July 2021 |
| 9 | Himachal Pradesh | Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu | Shiv Pratap Shukla | 11 December 2022 / 18 February 2023 |
| 10 | Jharkhand | Hemant Soren | Santosh Kumar Gangwar | 28 November 2024 / 31 July 2024 |
| 11 | Karnataka | Siddaramaiah | Thaawarchand Gehlot | 20 May 2023 / 11 July 2021 |
| 12 | Kerala | Pinarayi Vijayan | Arif Mohammad Khan | 20 May 2021 / 06 September 2019 |
| 13 | Madhya Pradesh | Mohan Yadav | Mangubhai C. Patel | 13 December 2023 / 08 July 2021 |
| 14 | Maharashtra | Devendra Fadnavis | C.P. Radhakrishnan | 05 December 2024 / 31 July 2024 |
| 15 | Manipur | N. Biren Singh | Lakshman Prasad Acharya (Addl. Charge) | 21 March 2022 / 31 July 2024 |
| 16 | Meghalaya | Conrad Sangma | CH Vijayashankar | 07 March 2023 / 30 July 2024 |
| 17 | Mizoram | Lalduhoma | Kambhampati Hari Babu | 08 December 2023 / 19 July 2021 |
| 18 | Nagaland | Neiphiu Rio | La. Ganesan | 07 March 2023 / 20 February 2023 |
| 19 | Odisha | Mohan Charan Majhi | Raghubar Das | 12 June 2024 / 31 October 2023 |
| 20 | Punjab | Bhagwant Mann | Gulab Chand Kataria | 16 March 2022 / 31 July 2024 |
| 21 | Rajasthan | Bhajan Lal Sharma | Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde | 15 December 2023 / 31 July 2024 |
| 22 | Sikkim | Prem Singh Tamang | Om Prakash Mathur | 10 June 2024 / 31 July 2024 |
| 23 | Tamil Nadu | M.K. Stalin | R.N. Ravi | 07 May 2021 / 18 September 2021 |
| 24 | Telangana | A. Revanth Reddy | Jishnu Dev Varma | 07 December 2023 / 31 July 2024 |
| 25 | Tripura | Manik Saha | N. Indrasena Reddy | 08 March 2023 / 26 October 2023 |
| 26 | Uttar Pradesh | Yogi Adityanath | Anandiben Patel | 25 March 2022 / 29 July 2019 |
| 27 | Uttarakhand | Pushkar Singh Dhami | Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh | 23 March 2022 / 15 September 2021 |
| 28 | West Bengal | Mamata Banerjee | C.V. Ananda Bose | 05 May 2021 / 23 November 2022 |
| UNION TERRITORIES | ||||
| 29 | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | -- | Admiral D.K. Joshi (Lt. Governor) | 08 October 2017 |
| 30 | Chandigarh | -- | Gulab Chand Kataria (Administrator) | 31 July 2024 |
| 31 | Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | -- | Praful Patel (Administrator) | 26 January 2020 |
| 32 | Delhi (NCT) | Atishi Marlena | Vinai Kumar Saxena (Lt. Governor) | 21 September 2024 / 26 May 2022 |
| 33 | Jammu & Kashmir | Omar Abdullah | Manoj Sinha (Lt. Governor) | 16 October 2024 / 07 August 2020 |
| 34 | Ladakh | -- | Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Lt. Governor) | 12 February 2023 |
| 35 | Lakshadweep | -- | Praful Patel (Administrator) | 05 December 2020 |
| 36 | Puducherry | N. Rangasamy | K. Kailashnathan (Lt. Governor) | 07 May 2021 / 07 August 2024 |