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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Reserve Bank of India Issues Draft Foreign Investment Rules, 2026 to Modernise India's Foreign Investment Framework

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the Draft Foreign Exchange Management (Foreign Investment) Rules, 2026 for public consultation to modernise India's foreign investment regulatory framework.
• Foreign Investment in India is currently governed by the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-Debt Instruments) Rules, 2019 (NDI Rules).
• The Union Budget 2026–27 announced a comprehensive review of the NDI Rules to create a modern, simplified and investor-friendly framework for foreign investments.
• The Central Government constituted a Committee to comprehensively review the existing foreign investment regulatory framework, and the RBI prepared the draft Rules based on its recommendations and consultations with stakeholders.
• The Draft Foreign Exchange Management (Foreign Investment) Rules, 2026 aim to create a contemporary, transparent and user-friendly regulatory framework aligned with India's evolving economic priorities.
• The proposed Rules introduce a simplified and principle-based framework through rationalisation of provisions, harmonisation of definitions, and a simplified regulatory architecture to reduce regulatory complexity.
• The draft Rules provide clear alignment with the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy by separating procedural FEMA provisions from policy and sector-specific requirements, ensuring greater regulatory clarity.
• The proposed framework enhances Ease of Doing Business by streamlining procedures, reducing compliance burden, and providing greater operational flexibility for foreign investors.
• The draft Rules adopt a future-ready regulatory framework based on principle-based, investee-neutral and investor-neutral provisions, while maintaining necessary regulatory safeguards.
• The RBI has invited comments and feedback from all stakeholders on the Draft Foreign Investment Rules, 2026.
• Stakeholders can submit feedback through the "Connect 2 Regulate" section on the RBI website or via email.
• The last date for submitting comments on the Draft Foreign Exchange Management (Foreign Investment) Rules, 2026 is 31 August 2026.

About RBI :

• Established: 1 April 1935 under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, and serves as India’s central bank.
• Nationalised: 1 January 1949
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Governor: Sanjay Malhotra (26th Governor)
• Deputy Governors: Rohit Jain, Shirish Chandra Murmu, Swaminathan Janakiraman, Poonam Gupta
• Wholly Owned by RBI:
• BRBNMPL – Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited
• DICGC – Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation
• ReBIT – Reserve Bank Information Technology Private Limited
• RBIH – Reserve Bank Innovation Hub
• Promoted by RBI (Now Government-owned):
• NABARD – National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
• NHB – National Housing Bank

Unified Payments Interface User Base Surpasses 55.49 Crore as of June 2026

• Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a real-time digital payment system operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and is authorised under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.

Key Highlights :

• As of June 2026, 55.49 crore users have been onboarded on the UPI platform, reflecting its rapid adoption across India.
• During FY 2025–26, UPI recorded 24,161.69 crore transactions with a total transaction value of ₹314.23 lakh crore, the highest ever since its launch.
• UPI transaction growth over the last five financial years:
• FY 2021–22: 4,595.61 crore transactions | ₹84.16 lakh crore
• FY 2022–23: 8,371.44 crore transactions | ₹139.15 lakh crore
• FY 2023–24: 13,112.95 crore transactions | ₹199.95 lakh crore
• FY 2024–25: 18,586.60 crore transactions | ₹260.56 lakh crore
• FY 2025–26: 24,161.69 crore transactions | ₹314.23 lakh crore
• NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NPCI, was incorporated in April 2020 to expand UPI and RuPay to international markets.
• NIPL enables Indian tourists and the Indian diaspora to make seamless cross-border payments while helping partner countries build UPI-like real-time payment systems and RuPay-like domestic card networks.
• To strengthen the security and transparency of UPI, the Government of India, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and NPCI have introduced risk-based transaction limits, safeguards against unauthorised mobile number changes, protection against SMS authentication misuse, and enhanced security norms for UPI applications.
• NPCI has issued the Comprehensive UPI Information Security Framework (CUISF) 2025 and the Mobile Application Security Framework, mandating advanced cybersecurity controls to improve the safety and resilience of the UPI ecosystem.
• UPI is internationally linked to support both Person-to-Person (P2P) remittances and Person-to-Merchant (P2M)
• Countries Where UPI is Live:
• Bhutan – P2M – Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) Bhutan – July 2021.
• Singapore – P2M – NETS Singapore, HitPay, LiquidPay – August 2021.
• United Arab Emirates (UAE) – P2M – Mashreq Bank (NeoPay), Network International, Magnati – April 2022.
• Singapore – P2P – BCS PayNow – February 2023.
• France – P2M – LYRA Network – February 2024.
• Mauritius – P2M – Bank of Mauritius – February 2024.
• Sri Lanka – P2M – LankaPay Pvt. Ltd. – February 2024.
• Nepal – P2M – FonePay Payment Services Ltd. – March 2024.
• Qatar – P2M – Qatar National Bank (QNB) – September 2025.
• Greece – P2P – Eurobank S.A. – May 2026.
• Nepal – P2P – Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) – June 2026.
• Cambodia – P2M – ACLEDA Bank PLC – June 2026.

Reserve Bank of India Releases FY26 Financial Inclusion-Index at 70 and Announces Final Specified Non-Financial Assets Prudential Framework

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) for FY 2025–26, with the index rising to 70.0 in March 2026 from 67.0 in March 2025.
• The improvement in the FI-Index was mainly driven by an increase in the Usage sub-index, reflecting the deepening of financial inclusion across India.
• Growth was recorded across all sub-indices of the Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) during FY 2025–26.
• The RBI developed the composite Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) in consultation with the Government of India (GoI) and other stakeholders to measure the extent of financial inclusion across the country.
• The FI-Index was first published in August 2021 for the financial year ending March 2021.
• The RBI also issued new "Prudential Norms on Specified Non-Financial Assets (SNFAs) acquired by Regulated Entities (REs)" to strengthen the framework for resolving stressed assets.
• The new SNFA Prudential Norms have been issued under the Resolution of Stressed Assets Directions, 2025.
• The revised SNFA framework will come into effect from 1 October 2026.
• Under the revised norms, Regulated Entities (REs) are prohibited from selling or transferring Specified Non-Financial Assets (SNFAs) back to the defaulting borrower, its promoters, related parties, or entities acting on behalf of the borrower.

Government & Reserve Bank of India Enhance FinTech Regulations to Strengthen Consumer Protection and Digital Finance

• The Government of India (GoI) continuously engages with financial sector regulators and other stakeholders to review issues related to the FinTech ecosystem, including digital lending platforms and payment aggregators.

Key Highlights :

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the Framework for Self-Regulatory Organisation(s) in the FinTech Sector (SRO-FT Framework) on 30 May 2024 to establish regulatory standards, promote ethical conduct, ensure market integrity, resolve disputes, and enhance transparency and accountability among FinTech entities.
• The RBI issued the Master Directions on Digital Payment Security Controls in February 2021, mandating banks to implement minimum security standards across internet banking, mobile banking, card payments, and other digital payment channels to combat cyber threats.
• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) provides an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) based fraud monitoring solution to banks for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions, enabling real-time fraud alerts and transaction blocking.
• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) and the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 (DPDP Rules 2025) to safeguard the personal data and privacy of individuals.
• The RBI introduced the Regulatory Sandbox Framework in August 2019, allowing innovative financial products and services to be tested in a controlled regulatory environment, with or without regulatory relaxations.
• To protect citizens from cyber frauds and illegal loan applications, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) launched the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and the National Cybercrime Helpline – 1930.
• The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal enables citizens to report cybercrime incidents, including complaints related to illegal digital lending apps.
• Banks, through the SACHET Portal and the State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC), facilitate public complaints against entities involved in illegal deposit schemes and unauthorised money collection.
• The RBI and banks regularly conduct cyber awareness campaigns through SMS alerts, radio campaigns, and public awareness programmes to educate customers about cyber fraud prevention.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also conducts Electronic Banking Awareness and Training (eBAAT) programmes to improve public awareness regarding digital banking frauds, cybersecurity risks, and risk mitigation practices.

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

National Highways Authority of India Launches Digital Local Pass and MargMitra Help Centre on RajmargYatra Mobile App

• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched Digital Local Pass and MargMitra Help Centre on the RajmargYatra Mobile App to enhance digital services for National Highway users.
• The initiatives support the Digital India programme by providing paperless, technology-driven, and user-friendly highway services.
• The Digital Local Pass enables eligible commuters to apply for and obtain monthly toll passes online, eliminating the need to visit toll plazas or submit physical documents.
• The facility has been launched initially at the Mundka–Bakkarwala Toll Plaza on Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II), Delhi, and will be expanded to other toll plazas across the country.
• Residents living within a 20-kilometre radius of an eligible toll plaza can apply for the Digital Local Pass, which provides unlimited travel through the designated toll plaza during the validity period.
• The digital verification process integrates Digital Locker (DigiLocker) for address verification, Vehicle Registration Database (VAHAN) for vehicle registration details, Fast Tag (FASTag) for toll account validation, and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to verify the applicant's eligibility.
• MargMitra Help Centre is an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered multilingual digital assistant that provides support for Fast Tag (FASTag) services, toll pass information, grievance redressal, real-time complaint tracking, and road safety reporting through text and voice-based interaction.
• The new digital services aim to improve transparency, reduce paperwork, speed up service delivery, and enhance the overall travel experience on National Highways.

About National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

• Established: 1988
• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chairperson: Santosh Kumar Yadav

RECENT NEWS

• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched the innovative which named as the ‘Arogya Van’ initiative. This project will focuses on to planting the medicinal trees along the national highways to enhance biodiversity and sustainability.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Celebrates 98th Foundation Day with Roadmap for Viksit Krishi and Samruddh Kisan

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 98th Foundation Day at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, NASC Complex, New Delhi, where Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan presented a roadmap for “Viksit Krishi and Samruddh Kisan” under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
• The Minister announced major targets including development of 100 Climate Smart Villages, reaching ICAR technologies to 100 million farmers, launching “One Institute-One Grand Innovation”, establishing an ICAR Open Digital Knowledge Platform, strengthening action against fake seeds and pesticides, and making ICAR financially self-reliant through technology commercialisation.
• More than 150 ICAR employees received regular appointment letters for the first time, marking a significant milestone in recognising their long-term contribution to the organisation.
• Under the One Institute-One Grand Innovation initiative, every ICAR institute has been encouraged to develop at least one transformational innovation within two years in areas such as new crop varieties, vaccines, digital tools, and climate-smart solutions.
• The proposed Mission ICAR-100 aims to transform Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) into innovation hubs, climate advisory centres, startup support centres, and farmer technology demonstration centres before ICAR completes 100 years.
• The ICAR Open Digital Knowledge Platform will provide farmers with access to soil testing guidance, crop advisories, weather information, and market-related updates through mobile-based digital services.
• The Minister proposed stronger legal measures against counterfeit seeds and pesticides and encouraged the development of simple technologies to help farmers verify the quality of agricultural inputs.
• ICAR has set a target of generating ₹10,000 crore internal resources by 2029 through technology commercialisation, licensing, improved crop varieties, and innovation-based revenue generation while continuing government support.
• During the Foundation Day celebrations, ICAR released 43 new crop varieties, 17 technologies/products, and 14 publications related to agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and digital farming solutions.
• More than 70 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and technology licensing agreements were signed to accelerate the transfer of ICAR innovations to farmers through collaboration with the private sector and startups.

About Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

• Established: 16 July 1929
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
• Director General: Dr. M. L. Jat

RECENT NEWS

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) signed a major Memorandum of Understanding on 12 January 2026 to strengthen cooperation in dairy research, innovation and extension. 

Delhi Cabinet Approves Parivartan Scheme to Replace Old Commercial Vehicles with BS-VI and Electric Vehicles

• The Delhi Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, approved the implementation of the Parivartan Scheme, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), to promote cleaner commercial transportation in the National Capital Region (NCR).
• Parivartan (Programme for Accelerated Renewal and Incentivization of Vehicle Assets) aims to replace BS-IV and older commercial vehicles with BS-VI-compliant or electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce vehicular emissions and improve air quality.
• The scheme covers Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs), Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs), Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), and commercial buses that are BS-IV or older.
• Owners purchasing new electric LGVs will receive 10-year motor vehicle tax exemption, registration fee waiver, 5% interest subsidy, 8% Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) discount, and a one-time fuel voucher.
• Buyers of used electric LGVs will be eligible for 50% motor vehicle tax exemption for 10 years, 5% interest subsidy, and a one-time fuel voucher.
• Owners replacing medium and heavy commercial vehicles with BS-VI or electric vehicles will receive 10-year tax exemption, registration fee waiver, 5% interest subsidy, 8% OEM discount, and a one-time fuel voucher.
• The scheme also applies to commercial buses, which must be replaced with BS-VI Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or electric buses, with similar financial incentives.
• Additional benefits include waiver of accumulated road tax, exemption from pending fitness-related penalties for scrapped vehicles, and permission to sell eligible BS-IV vehicles outside the Delhi NCR instead of scrapping them.
• The Delhi Government expects around 2.7 lakh truck and bus operators in the Delhi-NCR region to benefit from the scheme, which supports the objectives of the Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2026.

About Ministry of Road Transport and Highways:

• Cabinet Minister: Nitin Jairam Gadkari
• Constituency: Nagpur, Maharashtra
• Ministers of State (MoS): Ajay Tamta, Harsh Malhotra

RECENT NEWS

• The state government of Delhi has renamed its flagship welfare initiative, Mahila Samriddhi Yojana as the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana. This scheme is expected to roll out around the Raksha Bandhan 2026 and it aims to provide eligible women with ₹2,500 every month via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Mukhyamantri Swasth Bastar Abhiyan Improves Maternal and Child Health Outcomes in Chhattisgarh

• The Mukhyamantri Swasth Bastar Abhiyan has significantly improved maternal and child healthcare in Bastar region, particularly in Sukma district, one of Chhattisgarh's most Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts.
• The initiative was launched by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on 14 April 2026 in Sukma to provide accessible healthcare services in remote and tribal areas with limited medical infrastructure.
• The campaign focuses on preventive healthcare, maternal and child health, early disease detection, and timely treatment through doorstep healthcare services.
• Under the programme, institutional deliveries in Sukma district have increased to 98.6%, reflecting improved access to healthcare facilities and greater public confidence in government health services.
• The initiative has contributed to a decline in Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) through early pregnancy registration, regular antenatal care, vaccination, and continuous monitoring of high-risk pregnancies.
• Health teams are conducting door-to-door health check-ups and providing medical services in dense forests, hilly regions, and remote tribal villages, ensuring healthcare reaches underserved populations.
• The programme also strengthens pregnancy tracking, risk assessment, and timely referral services, improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes across the region.

About Chhattisgarh:

• Chief Minister: Vishnu Deo Sai
• Governor: Ramen Deka
• Capital: Raipur
• National Parks: Indravati, Kanger Valley, Guru Ghasidas National Parks
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Achanakmar, Barnawapara, Udanti Wild Buffalo, Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuaries

Supreme Court Directs Centre to Frame Uniform Post-Retirement Benefits Policy for Retired High Court Judges

• The Supreme Court of India directed the Central Government to constitute a committee within two weeks to recommend a uniform post-retirement benefits scheme for retired Chief Justices and High Court judges across the country.
• The direction was issued while hearing a petition highlighting unequal post-retirement benefits provided to retired High Court judges by different State Governments.
• A Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice V. Mohan, and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that varying benefits across states violate the principles of equality and dignity.
• The committee has been tasked with preparing uniform national guidelines, examining the financial assistance mechanism for states, and recommending a common post-retirement benefits policy.
• The committee has been directed to submit its recommendations to both the Central Government and the Supreme Court within three months of its constitution.
• The proposed policy will cover facilities such as security arrangements, drivers, household assistance, telecommunication facilities, medical reimbursement, and government accommodation.
• During the hearing, the Court questioned whether the existing assistance of around ₹45,000–₹50,000 provided by some states is sufficient to meet the expenses of security personnel and drivers for retired judges.
• Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union Government, informed the Court that the Centre had no objection to constituting the committee and agreed to take the necessary steps.

India Approves First Dengue Vaccine 'QDENGA' for Public Use

• India has approved its first dengue vaccine, QDENGA, after receiving marketing authorisation from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), marking a major milestone in the country's fight against dengue.
• QDENGA, developed by Takeda Biopharmaceuticals (Japan), is a live attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine that provides protection against all four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4).
• The vaccine is approved for individuals aged 4 to 60 years, irrespective of whether they have had a previous dengue infection.
• QDENGA is administered in a two-dose schedule and does not require pre-vaccination screening, making it easier to include in immunisation programmes.
• The approval is based on 19 Phase I, II, and III clinical trials involving over 28,000 participants globally, including a Phase III clinical study in India.
• In the global TIDES Phase III Trial, the vaccine demonstrated 80.2% efficacy against laboratory-confirmed dengue one year after the second dose and 90.4% efficacy in preventing dengue-related hospitalisation 18 months after the second dose.
• The vaccine also showed 84.1% protection against hospitalisation over 4.5 years, with safety and efficacy maintained for up to 7 years of follow-up.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended QDENGA for use in countries with endemic dengue transmission without requiring prior screening, and the vaccine has received WHO prequalification, enabling procurement by international agencies such as UNICEF.
• QDENGA was first approved in 2022, is currently approved in 43 countries, and more than 32 million doses have been administered worldwide. It is also included in the national immunisation programmes of Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Indonesia.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

American Filmmaker James Gray to Receive Pardo alla Carriera at 79th Locarno Film Festival 2026

• American filmmaker James Gray will be honoured with the prestigious Pardo alla Carriera (Honorary Career Leopard Award) at the 79th Locarno Film Festival on 9 August 2026.
• The award will be presented before the screening of his latest film, Paper Tiger, at Piazza Grande, one of Europe's largest open-air cinemas, in Locarno, Switzerland.
• The Pardo alla Carriera recognises filmmakers for their lifetime contribution to world cinema and their enduring influence on the global film industry.
• As part of the festival, James Gray's acclaimed films We Own the Night (2007) and Two Lovers (2008) will also be screened.
• James Gray made his directorial debut with Little Odessa (1994), which won the Silver Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival.
• He is renowned for films exploring themes such as family, identity, immigration, and morality, with notable works including The Immigrant (2013), The Lost City of Z (2016), Ad Astra (2019), and Armageddon Time (2022).
• The 79th Locarno Film Festival will be held from 5 to 15 August 2026 in Locarno, Switzerland.
• Previous recipients of the Pardo alla Carriera include Shah Rukh Khan, Jackie Chan (2025), Costa-Gavras, Jane Birkin, Claudia Cardinale, and Bruno Ganz.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Rahul Himalian Takes Additional Charge as Chairman & Managing Director of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited

• The Ministry of Railways (MoR) appointed Rahul Himalian, Director (Tourism & Marketing), Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC), as the additional Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of IRCTC.
• Rahul Himalian succeeds Sanjay Kumar Jain, following his resignation as CMD of IRCTC.
• His appointment as additional CMD of IRCTC will take effect from 20 July 2026.
• He will continue to hold his existing position as Director (Tourism & Marketing), IRCTC, while serving as additional CMD.
• Rahul Himalian is a 1999-batch Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer with over 26 years of experience in Indian Railways and IRCTC.
• He has been serving as a Whole-Time Functional Director on the IRCTC Board since 16 February 2024.
• As Whole-Time Functional Director, he heads key departments including Tourism, Information Technology (IT), Human Resource Development (HRD), Infrastructure, Administration, and Rajbhasha.
• Rahul Himalian was awarded the prestigious President’s Gold Medal for being the Best All-Round Student.

About IRCTC :

• Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) was established in 1999.
• IRCTC is a Schedule ‘A’ Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Railways (MoR).
• IRCTC is responsible for railway ticketing, catering, tourism, and hospitality services across Indian Railways.
• Headquarters of IRCTC: New Delhi, Delhi.

About Ministry of Railways :

• Cabinet Minister : Ashwini Vaishnaw
• Minister of State : V. Somanna, Ravneet Singh Bittu

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPS & PORTALS

National Highways Authority of India Launches Digital Local Pass and MargMitra Help Centre on RajmargYatra App

• National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced two new citizen-centric digital services on the RajmargYatra Mobile App—Digital Local Pass and MargMitra Help Centre—to strengthen the Digital India initiative and enhance Ease of Living.

Key Highlights :

• The Digital Local Pass enables eligible commuters to purchase monthly toll passes online through the RajmargYatra Mobile App, eliminating the need to visit toll plazas or submit physical documents.
• The first Digital Local Pass facility has been launched at the Mundka–Bakkarwala Toll Plaza on Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II), Delhi, and will be expanded to other toll plazas across the country.
• Residents living within a 20 km radius of an eligible toll plaza can digitally purchase a Local Pass, allowing unlimited travel through the respective toll plaza for one month.
• The Digital Local Pass uses consent-based integration with DigiLocker and VAHAN to automatically retrieve verified address details, vehicle registration number, and linked FASTag information.
• Eligibility verification for the Local Pass is carried out using GIS-based verification, ensuring transparency, accuracy, and eliminating manual documentation.
• NHAI has also launched the MargMitra Help Centre, an AI-enabled digital assistance platform integrated into the RajmargYatra Mobile App to provide single-window support for National Highway users.
• Through MargMitra, commuters can type or speak queries in any of the 22 Indian languages and receive information, assistance, or grievance support through an interactive conversational interface.
• MargMitra provides instant assistance for services such as FASTag recharge, FASTag KYC, refund status, Annual Pass, Local Pass, and other National Highway-related services.
• Users can register complaints through MargMitra, which are automatically forwarded to the concerned department for timely grievance redressal.
• The platform enables users to track complaint status in real time and provides an appeal mechanism if they are dissatisfied with the grievance resolution.
• MargMitra also allows commuters to check FASTag blacklisting status, view pending e-Notices, and report road safety issues such as stalled vehicles, encroachments, and other hazards on National Highways.
• The initiative builds on the success of the Annual Pass feature on the RajmargYatra Mobile App, through which more than 80 lakh Annual Passes have been sold with real-time activation.
• The RajmargYatra Mobile App, available on Android and iOS, offers a wide range of digital highway services, making National Highway travel safer, smarter, more transparent, and more convenient.
• These initiatives reinforce NHAI's commitment to Digital India, citizen-centric governance, efficient digital infrastructure, and an enhanced National Highway travel experience.

About Ministry of Road Transport & Highways :

• Cabinet Minister : Nitin Gadkari
• Minister of State : Ajay Tamta, Harsh Malhotra

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ENVIRONMENT

Researchers Discover Five New Allographa Lichen Species in the Western Ghats

• A team of researchers discovered five new species of lichen-forming fungi belonging to the genus Allographa from the Western Ghats of India, a globally significant biodiversity hotspot.
• The discovery is significant because Allographa species are important bioindicators of forest health and environmental quality, being highly sensitive to pollution and habitat changes.
• The findings will help identify ecologically sensitive areas, strengthen long-term environmental monitoring, and support evidence-based conservation policies and sustainable forest management.

Key Highlights :

• Allographa is a genus of script lichens (lichen-forming fungi) in the Graphidaceae family, containing more than 200 species worldwide.
• A lichen is a symbiotic association between a fungus and algae or cyanobacteria.
• The research was conducted by scientists from the MACS Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• The study represents the first comprehensive molecular phylogenetic investigation of Allographa species from the Western Ghats.
• The research team was led by Rajeshkumar K. C. (Principal Investigator), Ansil P. A. (CSIR-Senior Research Fellow), and Bharati Sharma (Co-Principal Investigator).
• Researchers carried out extensive field surveys across the Western Ghats, collecting numerous specimens from tropical forest habitats.
• The study combined traditional taxonomy, morphological analysis, chemical analysis, and multi-locus DNA sequencing for accurate species identification.
• The molecular study used three genetic markers: mtSSU, nrLSU, and RPB2 to determine species boundaries and evolutionary relationships.
• The five newly discovered species are:

1. Allographa keralensis (named after Kerala)
2. Allographa nayakae (named in honour of Dr. Sanjeeva Nayaka)
3. Allographa paraconsanguinea
4. Allographa persistinspersa
5. Allographa semicarbonisata

• The researchers also generated new molecular data for previously known species including calcea, A. macella, A. aquilonia, A. rimulosa, and A. effusosoredica.
• Phylogenetic analysis showed that many morphologically similar species are not closely related evolutionarily, highlighting the limitations of relying only on external morphology for species identification.
• The study provides a strong molecular framework for understanding the evolution, taxonomy, and species diversity of Allographa.
• The research was published in the international journal Mycological Progress.
• The study significantly expands scientific knowledge of Allographa diversity in India and highlights the Western Ghats as a major centre of lichen biodiversity.
• Researchers also prepared an updated checklist of Allographa species reported from the Western Ghats, including information on available molecular sequence data.
• The study establishes an important baseline for future biodiversity assessments, conservation planning, and systematic studies of tropical lichens.

Scientists Discover New Damselfly Species ‘Lestes paloti’ in the Western Ghats of Kerala

• A team of Indian odonatologists discovered a new species of spreadwing damselfly, Lestes paloti, from the Western Ghats in Kerala.
• Lestes paloti belongs to the Lestidae family under the Order Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies).
• The discovery was published in the International Journal of Odonatology, an internationally reputed peer-reviewed journal dedicated to research on dragonflies and damselflies.
• The species was named Lestes paloti in honour of Muhamed Jafer Palot of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kozhikode, recognising his significant contributions to Indian odonatology and the documentation of Western Ghats fauna.
• Lestes paloti has been recorded across 6 districts of Kerala: Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad, and Ernakulam.
• Unlike most related damselflies that stay near open water bodies, Lestes paloti prefers scrub vegetation around homesteads and laterite hillocks, often far from visible water sources.
• The species is brown during the dry season and turns bluish during the monsoon, showing distinct seasonal colour variation.
• The species was confirmed as a new and unique species through a detailed examination of the male genitalia, an important taxonomic identification method.
• The discovery resolved a decades-long misidentification with Lestes nodalis, clarifying the taxonomy of the species.
• Lestes paloti is the first new Lestes species discovered in the Western Ghats in 97 years, making it a significant milestone in Indian biodiversity research.
• With this discovery, Kerala's odonate species count has increased to 192 species.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

India Approves First Dengue Vaccine as Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation Clears Qdenga® for Dengue Prevention

• The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), granted marketing authorisation for Qdenga®, making it India's first approved dengue vaccine.

Key Highlights :

• Qdenga® is manufactured by Takeda GmbH, Germany, and will be imported into India by Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd.
• The approval was granted after a comprehensive scientific evaluation of the vaccine's quality, safety, and efficacy under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Drugs Rules, 1945.
• Qdenga® is a Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine (Live, Attenuated) designed to provide protection against all four dengue virus serotypes.
• The vaccine is developed using recombinant DNA technology and is produced in Vero cells, with serotype-specific genes engineered into a Dengue Virus Type-2 backbone.
• The vaccine contains Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and is supplied as a freeze-dried powder for reconstitution.
• Qdenga® is administered as a subcutaneous injection.
• The vaccine is approved for individuals aged 4 to 60 years for the prevention of dengue disease.
• The recommended vaccination schedule consists of two doses of 0.5 ml each, administered three months apart (0 and 3 months).
• The approval is based on an extensive global clinical development programme assessing safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy in both dengue-endemic and non-endemic regions.
• Clinical trials were conducted in more than eight countries, including Brazil, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
• A Phase III pivotal safety and immunogenicity study was also conducted in India involving participants aged 4–60 years.
• Qdenga® has already received regulatory approval in 42 countries, including the European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK), Switzerland, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
• The vaccine has received World Health Organization (WHO) Prequalification, confirming its international quality, safety, and efficacy standards.
• More than 24 million doses of Qdenga® have already been distributed globally.
• Post-marketing surveillance from countries using the vaccine has demonstrated a favourable safety profile, with no significant safety concerns
• The approval represents a major milestone in India's public health response to dengue and will complement existing measures under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP).
• The vaccine will support ongoing efforts in vector control, disease surveillance, early diagnosis, and case management for dengue.

Recent News :

• In July 2026, India's drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), approved Novo Nordisk's Wegovy (Semaglutide Injection 2.4 mg) for the treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH).

About Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation :

• Headquarters : New Delhi, India
• It is India’s National Regulatory Authority (NRA) India for Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices.
• It comes under the Directorate General of Health Services, MoHFW.

About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare :

• Cabinet Minister : J. P. Nadda
• Minister of State : Anupriya Patel, Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav

National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology to Set Up Two Centres of Excellence to Boost India’s Semiconductor Skill Ecosystem

• The National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) announced the establishment of 2 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) and Guwahati (Assam) to strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem through specialised skill development.
• The initiative supports the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0, approved with an outlay of ₹1.28 lakh crore, to build a skilled semiconductor manufacturing workforce.
• The CoEs will provide specialised training in Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) and Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP)
• NIELIT has partnered with Tata Electronics, Infineon, and Semiconductor Complex Limited (SCL), Mohali to strengthen semiconductor education and industry collaboration.
• The institute will introduce Tech, M.Tech, and Diploma programmes in Semiconductor Technology to develop industry-ready professionals.
• Under the India AI Mission, NIELIT has established 28 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Labs across the country.
• NIELIT currently operates 42 AI-focused programmes to promote Artificial Intelligence education and research.
• More than 20,000 individuals have been trained by NIELIT in AI, with a special focus on Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

About NIELIT :

• NIELIT was established in 1994 as the Department of Electronics Accreditation of Computer Courses (DOEACC) Society.
• The organisation was renamed as NIELIT in 2011.
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi.
• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur to Set Up ECOGEN Centre of Excellence to Advance Green Hydrogen Research

• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur announced the establishment of the Centre of Excellence on Innovative and Integrated Ecosystem for Green Hydrogen (ECOGEN) on 20 July 2026.
• The proposal has been approved by the Government of Uttar Pradesh and sanctioned by the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) under the Uttar Pradesh Green Hydrogen Policy, 2024.
• Green Hydrogen is produced through electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, making it a low-carbon fuel with no direct carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions during production.
• The ECOGEN Centre of Excellence will promote research, innovation, and technology development across the entire green hydrogen value chain.
• The Centre will focus on green hydrogen generation, storage, transportation, utilisation, system integration, safety standards, testing, demonstration projects, and industrial applications.
• A major objective of the Centre is to reduce the production cost of green hydrogen and accelerate its adoption as a clean and sustainable energy source.
• The initiative aims to strengthen India's clean energy research ecosystem and support Uttar Pradesh's Net-Zero Emissions and Net-Zero Pollution
• The Centre will undertake interdisciplinary and collaborative research covering the complete Green Hydrogen (GH₂) ecosystem, from production to end-use.
• Prabodh Bajpai, Professor, Department of Sustainable Energy Engineering, IIT Kanpur, has been appointed as the Principal Investigator (PI) of the Centre.
• The research team will comprise interdisciplinary experts and collaborate with leading industrial organisations for end-to-end research and development.
• Earlier, on 16 December 2025, the Uttar Pradesh Government approved a joint Centre of Excellence for Green Hydrogen involving IIT Kanpur and Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU) under the Uttar Pradesh Green Hydrogen Policy, 2024.
• The joint Green Hydrogen Centre will operate from both campuses and focus on production, storage, transportation, testing, safety standards, demonstration, and industrial utilisation of green hydrogen technologies.

Indian Council of Medical Research Licenses Three Indigenous Biomedical Technologies to Indian Industry for Healthcare Innovation

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) licensed three indigenous biomedical technologies to Indian pharmaceutical and vaccine companies under its Medical Innovations Patent Mitra
• The technology transfers aim to accelerate the commercialisation of publicly funded research, strengthen India's biomedical innovation ecosystem, and provide affordable healthcare solutions.

Key Highlights :

• SHetA2, a novel anti-HPV therapeutic candidate for the treatment of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN), has been licensed to Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
• SHetA2 was jointly developed by Showket Hussain of ICMR–National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR-NICPR) and Dr. Doris M. Benbrook of the Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, USA.
• SHetA2 is a first-in-class targeted therapeutic candidate that selectively destroys HPV-induced precancerous and cervical cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, offering a safe, affordable, and minimally invasive treatment option.
• Two next-generation vaccine technologies developed at ICMR–National Institute of Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI), Kolkata have been licensed to Biological E Ltd.
• The vaccine technologies were developed by Santasabuj Das and his research team at ICMR-NIRBI.
• The first vaccine technology is a fusion construct containing Salmonella typhi outer membrane protein, designed as a next-generation typhoid vaccine candidate.
• The second vaccine technology is a recombinant vaccine composition against Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, and Shigella infections, providing broader protection against major enteric bacterial pathogens.
• These technologies are expected to strengthen India's efforts in cervical cancer prevention, infectious disease control, and the development of next-generation indigenous therapeutics and vaccines.
• As India's apex biomedical research organisation, ICMR has established an integrated innovation ecosystem covering discovery, patent protection, clinical validation, regulatory facilitation, technology transfer, and commercialisation.
• Under Medical Innovations Patent Mitra, innovators receive support for patent filing, technology transfer, and licensing.
• MedTech Mitra, another ICMR initiative, provides support for regulatory guidance, clinical evaluation, and market access for indigenous medical technologies.

Recent News :

• In July 2026, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda will lay the foundation stone of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research at Keylong, Himachal Pradesh

About Indian Council of Medical Research :

• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is India's apex body for the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research.
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi.
• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
• Head: Rajiv Bahl.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

23rd Commonwealth Games 2026 to be Held in Glasgow, Scotland with 120-Member Indian Contingent

• The 23rd Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland from 23 July to 2 August 2026, featuring participation from 74 Commonwealth countries over 11 days.
• The Games will include 10 sports disciplines with six para sports events, making it the largest inclusive para sports programme in Commonwealth Games history.
• India has announced a 120-member contingent across 13 sports disciplines, with major medal hopes resting on athletes including Neeraj Chopra (Athletics), Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting), Lovlina Borgohain (Boxing), Srihari Nataraj (Swimming), and Murali Sreeshankar (Athletics).
• The Indian contingent will be led by Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting) and Lovlina Borgohain (Boxing) as flag bearers during the opening ceremony on 23 July 2026.
• The 10 sports included in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 are Athletics, Para Athletics, Swimming, Para Swimming, Boxing, Judo, Weightlifting, Track Cycling, Para Track Cycling, Artistic Gymnastics, Netball, Bowls, 3×3 Basketball, 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball, and Para Powerlifting.
• The Games will feature 215 gold medal events across different sporting categories.
• Major venues for the event include Scotstoun Stadium for Athletics and Para Athletics, Tollcross International Swimming Centre for Swimming and Para Swimming, Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Arena for Track Cycling, Para Track Cycling, and Artistic Gymnastics, and Scottish Event Campus (SEC) for Boxing, Judo, Bowls, and 3×3 Basketball.
• The 2026 Commonwealth Games have been reduced in scale after Victoria, Australia, withdrew as host in 2023 due to estimated costs of around A$6–7 billion.
• Glasgow adopted a cost-effective hosting model by using existing infrastructure, reducing the number of sports from 19 at Birmingham 2022 to 10 sports in 2026.
• Athletics and Swimming remain compulsory sports under Commonwealth Sport regulations, while other sports were selected based on cost efficiency, venue availability, athlete participation, and commercial viability.
• Despite the reduced format, Glasgow 2026 will distribute 215 gold medals and host the largest-ever para sports programme with six para disciplines.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Brain Day 2026 Observed on 22 July

• World Brain Day is observed every year on 22 July to create awareness about brain health, prevent neurological disorders, and promote better treatment, rehabilitation, and care for people affected by brain-related

• The day was established by the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) to highlight the importance of neurology research, early diagnosis, and global efforts towards improving brain health.
• The World Federation of Neurology (WFN) was founded on 22 July 1957 in Belgium and has emerged as a leading global organisation promoting neurological education, research, and healthcare awareness.
• The idea of observing 22 July as World Brain Day was proposed by the Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee of the World Federation of Neurology.
• The proposal was presented during the World Congress of Neurology (WCN) Council of Delegates Meeting held on 22 September 2013 and received strong support from delegates.
• The proposal was later approved by the Board of Trustees of the World Federation of Neurology in February 2014, establishing World Brain Day as an annual global observance.

About World Federation of Neurology (WFN)

• Established: 22 July 1957
• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Founded In: Belgium

Daily CA One- Liner: July 22

• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched Digital Local Pass and MargMitra Help Centre on the RajmargYatra Mobile App to enhance digital services for National Highway users
• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 98th Foundation Day at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, NASC Complex, New Delhi, where Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan presented a roadmap for “Viksit Krishi and Samruddh Kisan” under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047
• The Delhi Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, approved the implementation of the Parivartan Scheme, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), to promote cleaner commercial transportation in the National Capital Region
• The Mukhyamantri Swasth Bastar Abhiyan has significantly improved maternal and child healthcare in Bastar region, particularly in Sukma district, one of Chhattisgarh's most Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts
• The Supreme Court of India directed the Central Government to constitute a committee within two weeks to recommend a uniform post-retirement benefits scheme for retired Chief Justices and High Court judges across the country
• India has approved its first dengue vaccine, QDENGA, after receiving marketing authorisation from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), marking a major milestone in the country's fight against dengue
• American filmmaker James Gray will be honoured with the prestigious Pardo alla Carriera (Honorary Career Leopard Award) at the 79th Locarno Film Festival on 9 August 2026
• The 23rd Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland from 23 July to 2 August 2026, featuring participation from 74 Commonwealth countries over 11 days.

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the Draft Foreign Exchange Management (Foreign Investment) Rules, 2026 for public consultation to modernise India's foreign investment regulatory framework.
• Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a real-time digital payment system operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and is authorised under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) for FY 2025–26, with the index rising to 70.0 in March 2026 from 67.0 in March 2025.
• The Government of India (GoI) continuously engages with financial sector regulators and other stakeholders to review issues related to the FinTech ecosystem, including digital lending platforms and payment aggregators.
• The Ministry of Railways (MoR) appointed Rahul Himalian, Director (Tourism & Marketing), Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC), as the additional Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of IRCTC.
• National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced two new citizen-centric digital services on the RajmargYatra Mobile App—Digital Local Pass and MargMitra Help Centre—to strengthen the Digital India initiative and enhance Ease of Living.
• A team of researchers discovered five new species of lichen-forming fungi belonging to the genus Allographa from the Western Ghats of India, a globally significant biodiversity hotspot.
• A team of Indian odonatologists discovered a new species of spreadwing damselfly, Lestes paloti, from the Western Ghats in Kerala.
• The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), granted marketing authorisation for Qdenga®, making it India's first approved dengue vaccine.
• The National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) announced the establishment of 2 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) and Guwahati (Assam) to strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem through specialised skill development.
• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur announced the establishment of the Centre of Excellence on Innovative and Integrated Ecosystem for Green Hydrogen (ECOGEN) on 20 July 2026.
• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) licensed three indigenous biomedical technologies to Indian pharmaceutical and vaccine companies under its Medical Innovations Patent Mitra initiative.

• World Brain Day is observed every year on 22 July to create awareness about brain health, prevent neurological disorders, and promote better treatment, rehabilitation, and care for people affected by brain-related disabilities