Current Affairs 28 July 2026

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

PM Narendra Modi Constitutes Exam Reform Task Force Led by Nandan Nilekani
In July 2026, the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi announced the constitution of six member high-powered task force, under the leadership of Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend comprehensive reforms to the examination system in India.
Task Force Details:
Driving Factors: The panel was formed in response to nationwide protests over education reforms and concerns regarding exam paper leaks, particularly after the NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test)-UG (Under Graduate) paper leak controversy.
Other Members: The high-level task force comprises experts from technology, education, intelligence, and administration:

• S. Somanath, Former Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Tapan Deka, Former Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB)
• V. Kamakoti, Director, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras
• Anita Karwal, Former Education Secretary, Ministry of Education (MoE)
• Amrit Lal Meena, Logistics & Administration Expert, Former Secretary, Ministry of Coal

BRICS Science Academies Forum Meeting 2026 Held at IIT Hyderabad 
The 2nd meeting of BRICS Science Academies Forum 2026 held from July 22 to July 23 2026 at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad  (IIT-H) in Hyderabad, Telangana under the theme of “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development and Strengthening Global South Cooperation”.

• The two-day long event brought together member and participating countries from BRICS to deliberate on the 3C’s i.e. Collective, Collaborative and Context sensitive approaches towards Artificial Intelligence (AI).

About BRICS Science Academies:
Hosted by: The  Indian National Science Academy (INSA), a premier Research and Development (R&D) organisation which works under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), is leading the scientific collaboration across BRICS nations and its partner countries.
Key Focus Areas: The forum outlined 05 priority verticals for Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven interventions: Advanced Materials and Manufacturing; Healthcare, Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability, Agriculture and Food Security, Disaster Prediction and Management.
3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on DRR: India,  hosted the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) under the chairmanship of Union Minister of State (MoS) Nityanand Rai, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi, Delhi.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath Inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List; Becomes India’s 45th WHS
In July 2026, the Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh (UP) was inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in Busan, South Korea.

• The inscription became India’s 45th World Heritage Site (WHS) and the fourth for UP after Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri.

About Sarnath’sUNESCO World Heritage Inscription:
Background:  Sarnath was included in UNESCO’s Tentative List in 1998, and India submitted its nomination dossier in January 2025 for the 2025–26 World Heritage cycle.
Objective: The inscription recognizes Sarnath’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) as one of the world’s most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage centres, where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment.

Overview of President Droupadi Murmu’s visits to Moldova, North Macedonia & Romania From July 19-25, 2026 
President of India Droupadi Murmu was on a week-long state visit to Moldova, North Macedonia, and Romania from July 19 to 25, 2026, aimed at promoting relations in trade, technology, tourism and other sectors.
Highlights of the Visit:
Moldova: President Droupadi Murmu was accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the Presidential Palace, where she was warmly received by Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova.

• Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, logistics, infrastructure, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, Renewable Energy (RE), Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and innovation. India also unveiled the 3Ts Roadmap (Trade, Technology, and Talent) to deepen bilateral ties.

North Macedonia: She visited North Macedonia from July 21 to 22,2026, marking first ever visit by an Indian President to North Macedonia.

• She held bilateral talks with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, met Prime Minister (PM) Hristijan Mickoski, addressed the Assembly of North Macedonia and the India–North Macedonia Business Forum in Skopje, and jointly unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Museum of the City of Skopje.

Romania: She visited Romania from July 23 to 25 2026, at the invitation of Nicușor Dan, President of Romania, marking the first state visit by an Indian President to Romania in nearly 30 years.

• During the visit, she received the Doctor Honoris Causa award from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (BUES). Both countries signed three MoUs in science & technology, education, and sports, and declared 2028 as the “India–Romania Year of Innovation” to mark 80 years of diplomatic relations.

BANKING & FINANCE

VIYONA Receives BBPS Approval to Offer Digital Bill Payment Services 
In July 2026,VIYONA Fintech, a fintech infrastructure startup, received approval from the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), now known as Bharat Connect, to operate as a Customer Operating Unit (COU), enabling it to provide interoperable digital bill payment services across India.
About Payment Services: 
Services: The certification enables VIYONA to offer Bharat Connect-powered bill payment services across multiple categories, including electricity, water, gas, broadband, mobile recharges, Direct-to-Home (DTH) subscriptions, insurance premiums, loan Equated Monthly Installments (EMIs), educational fees, and other approved bill payments.
Integration: Furthermore, the approval enables Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), banks, fintech companies, enterprises, and government organisations to integrate Bharat Connect services through VIYONA’s platform.
Payment Capabilities: The approval strengthens VIYONA’s digital payment infrastructure and adds to its National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) certifications, including Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Switch, Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), Banking Connect, Billers Operating Unit (BOU) and eKYC Setu.
About VIYONA: Established in 2018, VIYONA Fintech is a Hyderabad, Telangana, India-based fintech infrastructure startup.

NSE Launches India’s First Domestic Benchmark-Based Natural Gas Futures 
In July 2026, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) announced the launch of India’s first exchange-traded energy derivative the ‘Indian Natural Gas Futures’, linked to a domestic benchmark, with trading set to commence from 27 July 2026.
About Indian Natural Gas Futures:
Benchmark: The contract was launched under the symbol NATGASIND after receiving approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for trading in the Commodity Derivatives Segment.

• The cash-settled contract is linked to the Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) Gujarat (Dahej) hub price, quoted in Rs. per mmBtu (Metric Million British Thermal Units), with final settlement based on the monthly weighted average price of actual IGX deliveries.

Contract:  The contract has a trading unit of 250 mmBtu, is available from Monday to Friday, and is managed by NSE Clearing through clearing, settlement and margin mechanisms.
Significance:  The contract provides gas producers, consumers, traders and power companies with a domestic benchmark-based instrument to manage price volatility and improve market efficiency.
About NSE: It was established in 1992 and is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

EIL and CSIR-IMMT Signs MoU for Critical Minerals R&D
In July 2026, Engineers India Limited (EIL), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), Bhubaneswar, Odisha to strengthen collaboration in mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, and the critical and strategic minerals value chain.

• The MoU was signed by Rajiv Agarwal, Director (technical), EIL and Ramanuj Narayan, Director, CSIR-IMMT.

Key Details of MoU:
Collaboration: Under the MoU, EIL and CSIR-IMMT will jointly identify, evaluate, and undertake Research and Development (R&D) initiatives in the field of critical and strategic minerals.
Focus: The partnership will focus on the exchange of technical expertise, capacity-building programmes, technology scale-up, and the execution of pilot-scale as well as commercial deployment projects.
Other MoU: EIL has also signed an MoU with the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), formerly known as the Directorate General of Shipping to provide engineering, technical advisory and consultancy services for the planning, development and modernisation of projects in the maritime sector.

Vizhinjam International Seaport Gets Customs Approval for EXIM Operations 
In July 2026, the Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited(VISL), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, received final approval from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to commence Export-Import (EXIM) cargo operations from 18 August 2026.
About Customs Approval:
Approval: The CBIC notified the VISL as a Customs Port under the Customs Act, 1962, enabling direct EXIM operations, reducing reliance on foreign transshipment hubs, and enhancing India’s international trade efficiency.
Customs Coordination:  The CBIC will coordinate EXIM cargo regulation with VISL, Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited (AVPPL) and other concerned agencies.
Infrastructure:  Developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by the Government of Kerala in collaboration with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ).
About CBIC: It was established in 1964 and is headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi,. It functions under the Department of Revenue(DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF), and is headed by its Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Takes Additional Charge as Education Minister
In July 2026, Union Minister Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD) and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) was given additional charge as the 10th Union Minister of Education of India following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan at Kartavya Bhavan, New Delhi, Delhi.

• Acting on the advice of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of India.

Appointment Details:
Transition: Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation, taking moral responsibility for the controversial National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) NEET-UG 2026 paper leak issue and the resulting nationwide student protests.
Other Secretary Appointment in MoE:
Department of Higher Education: Naresh Pal Gangwar (1994-batch IAS officer) took charge, replacing Vineet Joshi.
Department of School Education & Literacy: T.K. Anil Kumar (1995-batch IAS officer) assumed the role

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

SpaceX’s Starship Completes 13th Test Flight, Deploys 20 Starlink V3 Satellites
In July 2026, SpaceX successfully completed the 13th integrated test flight of its Starship launch system from Starbase, Texas, United States of America (USA), deploying 20 next-generation Starlink Version 3 (V3) satellites for the first time before making a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

• The mission, which marked the second test flight of Starship V3, was closely monitored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for its future ‘Artemis’ lunar missions.

Highlights of the SpaceX’s Starship:
Launch:  The 124 metres(m) Starship rocket launched successfully from Starbase and deployed 20 Starlink V3 satellites with advanced communication capabilities through laser links.
Testing:  The Starship upper stage completed a successful re-entry and soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean, providing critical data on heat shield performance and spacecraft systems.
Purpose:  The mission tested hardware, software, satellite deployment and flight systems to support NASA’s Human Landing System (HLS) for future Artemis lunar missions and SpaceX’s long-term goal of human exploration of Mars.
About NASA: Established in 1958, NASA is the USA space agency headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA, led by Jared Isaacman, Administrator.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2026 – July 26
Kargil Vijay Diwas, also known as Kargil Victory Day, is observed annually across India on 26 July, to commemorate the Indian Army’s (IA) victory over Pakistan in the 1999 Kargil War through Operation Vijay and honours the courage, valour, and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty.

• 26 July 2026 marks the 27th observance of the Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Background:
Overview: The Kargil War began in May 1999 when around 1,500 Pakistani soldiers and militants crossed the Line of Control (LoC), occupied Indian territory in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) (now in the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh), aiming to cut National Highway 1A (NH-1A), disrupt Srinagar–Leh connectivity, isolate Indian forces at the Siachen Glacier.

• The intrusion, first detected on 3 May 1999, was a violation of the Shimla Agreement (1972).

Operations: The Indian Air Force (IAF) launched Operation Safed Sagar on 26 May 1999, marking the first use of air-to-ground strikes in the conflict, while the Indian Army (IA) launched Operation Vijay to recapture the infiltrated posts.

International day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystems 2026 – July 26
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) observes the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on 26 July to promote mangrove conservation. Mangroves are unique land-sea ecosystems that provide ecological, climatic and socio-economic benefits.

• 2026 marks the 11th  observance of International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystems.

Background: 
Proclamation: In 2015, the UNESCO adopted Resolution 38 C/66 during its 38th General Conference, officially declaring 26 July as the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.
First Observance: The first International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem was observed on 26 July 2016
Tribute:  The day also commemorates Hayhow Daniel Nanoto, a Greenpeace activist from Micronesia, who died on 26 July 1998 during a protest for mangrove wetland restoration in Muisne, Ecuador.

STATE NEWS

HP CM Sukhvinder Singh Launches ‘Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana’ to Support Reservoir Fishermen
In July 2026,  Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister (CM), Himachal Pradesh (HP), launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana ’, a welfare-oriented scheme designed to provide financial assistance and social security to fishermen engaged in reservoir fisheries during the annual fishing ban period.

• The scheme is implemented at an estimated annual state expenditure of Rs.1.20 crore, providing eligible fishermen a lump-sum grant of Rs.3,500 each during the fishing ban period.

About Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana:
Coverage: The scheme is structured to benefit around 3,700 fishing families across five major state reservoirs: Gobind Sagar, Pong Dam, Kol Dam, Chamera, and Ranjit Sagar.
Eligibility: Active fishermen engaged in reservoir fisheries through registered Fisheries Cooperative Societies with valid fishing licenses.
Application Process: Eligible beneficiaries must apply through their respective Fisheries Cooperative Societies by submitting their Aadhaar Card, Parivar Register details, and a valid National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) registration.
Monitoring: The Directorate of Fisheries, HP government, will maintain records and conduct random verifications to ensure transparency.

Odisha Signs MoUs with HCL, Sarvam AI for Rs 14,257 crore AI Data Centre
In July 2026, the Government of Odisha signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HCL Technologies (HCLTech) and Sarvam AI to establish its first artificial intelligence (AI) data centre at the Odisha Sovereign AI Park, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with an outlay of Rs. 14,257 crore.

• The MoU was signed in the presence of Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha; Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson, HCLTech; C Vijayakumar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD), HCLTech; and Pratyush Kumar, Co-Founder, Sarvam AI.

About AI Data Centre:
Objective: HCLTech will invest around Rs. 730 crore to establish the AI Data Centre, leveraging its full-stack AI expertise and Sarvam AI’s foundation models to develop AI solutions for enterprises, government departments, and public sector organisations.

• It will be HCLTech’s first AI Data Centre in India.

Integration: The facility will be integrated into the Odisha Sovereign AI Park, a strategic initiative designed to establish an AI-centric ecosystem that merges high-performance computing with indigenous Indian language models and AI services to support real-world applications.
Other Initiatives: The state government also signed an MoU to establish a Global Development Centre(GDC) in Bhubaneswar to deliver AI-led digital solutions to global enterprises, which will employ about 5,000 people and become fully operational by 2028.
About HCLTech: Founded in 1976 by Shiv Nadar and headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh (UP).

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