Dear Readers, get to know the daily current affairs today covering all the National & International Events provided here in this article. Current Affairs is an important topic in various competitive exams like IBPS/SBI/PO/Clerk and other competitive exams. To score better in this section, be updated with the daily happenings. Check the Daily Current Affairs July 2026 updates here. Revision is very important in remembering current affairs. Candidates after learning the Daily current affairs 30th July 2026, can test their knowledge by attempting Current Affairs Quiz provided with answers. Daily current affairs  30th July 2026 covers current affairs from International & National news, Important Days, State News, Banking & Economy, Business News, Appointments & Resignation, Awards & Honour, Books & Authors, Sports News, etc.,

Daily Current Affairs PDF of  30th July  2026

Get More: Static GK Pdfs

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Government Approves Reserve Bank of India Proposal to Introduce ₹10 and ₹20 Polymer Banknotes for Field Trials

• The Government of India (GoI) has approved the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposal to conduct field trials of 1 billion (100 crore) polymer banknotes each in the ₹10 and ₹20 denominations, marking a major step towards introducing more durable and secure currency notes in India.
• The proposal was submitted by the RBI, with the recommendation of its Central Board, under Section 25 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, seeking approval for field trials and the regular issuance of ₹10 and ₹20 polymer banknotes after successful completion of the trials.

Key Highlights :

• The proposed field trial covers ₹3,000 crore worth of polymer banknotes (₹10 and ₹20 denominations) to evaluate their performance under real-world conditions.
• The RBI has been authorised to conduct field trials under different climatic and usage conditions to assess the durability, security features, lifespan, and public acceptance of polymer banknotes.
• Regular issuance of ₹10 and ₹20 polymer banknotes will commence only after the successful completion and evaluation of the field trials.
• Polymer banknotes are printed on a non-fibrous, non-porous polymer (plastic) substrate instead of conventional paper substrate, making them longer-lasting, more resistant to wear and tear, dirt, moisture, and contamination, and more secure against counterfeiting.
• The Government has clarified that there is no proposal to completely replace paper currency, and polymer banknotes will circulate alongside existing paper banknotes as an additional option.
• India first proposed polymer banknotes in 2012, but the initiative was deferred due to technological challenges.
• Around 60 countries have already introduced polymer banknotes, including Australia, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Romania.
• Australia became the first country in the world to introduce polymer banknotes in 1988 with a 10-dollar note, Romania became the first European country to adopt them in 1999, and Canada introduced them in 2011.
• The initiative aims to enhance the durability, security, efficiency, and lifespan of India's currency while continuing to support both cash transactions and the country's digital payment ecosystem.
• According to the RBI Annual Report FY 2024–25, the expenditure on securely printing paper currency notes increased to ₹6,372.8 crore in FY25, compared to ₹5,101.4 crore in FY24, mainly due to higher banknote printing requirements.

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

Reserve Bank of India Proposes Demat-Only Securitisation Notes While Retaining ₹1 Crore Minimum Investment Limit

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released draft amendments proposing that all Securitisation Notes (SNs) must be issued, held, and transferred only in dematerialised (demat) form to enhance transparency, efficiency, liquidity, and investor protection in the securitisation market.

What are Securitisation Notes?

• Securitisation Notes (SNs) are financial instruments created by pooling assets such as home loans, vehicle loans, and other retail loans, which are then sold to investors, enabling banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) to raise fresh funds for further lending.

Key Highlights :

• The RBI has proposed to retain the minimum investment size of ₹1 crore, which will apply both at the time of issuance and for every subsequent transfer of Securitisation Notes.
• The draft framework requires agreements between lenders and Special Purpose Entities (SPEs) to ensure continuous compliance with the ₹1 crore minimum investment requirement throughout the life cycle of the securities.
• According to the proposal, an issue of Securitisation Notes (SNs) will be treated as a public issue if it is offered to the number of investors specified under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulations.
• The proposed amendments aim to strengthen the regulatory framework for securitisation, improve market transparency, facilitate efficient trading, and enhance the overall functioning of India's debt and securitisation market.
• The RBI has invited public comments and stakeholder feedback on the draft proposals until 27 August 2026.
• The proposed amendments are scheduled to come into effect from 1 October 2026, after considering feedback received during the public consultation process.

Delhi High Court Directs Winding Up of Paytm Payments Bank Following Reserve Bank of India Licence Cancellation

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) with effect from 24 April 2026 under Section 22(4) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• Following the licence cancellation, the RBI approached the Delhi High Court seeking the winding up of Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) and the appointment of an Official Liquidator.
• On 8 July 2026 (read with the 22 July 2026 order), the Delhi High Court ordered the winding up of PPBL under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and the Companies Act, 2013.
• The Delhi High Court appointed Shri Girikumar M. Nair, former Chief General Manager (CGM) of the State Bank of India (SBI), as the Official Liquidator to supervise the bank's liquidation process.
• The Official Liquidator is responsible for managing the liquidation proceedings, protecting the interests of depositors, creditors, and other stakeholders, and ensuring an orderly closure of the bank.
• The winding-up order marks the formal closure of Paytm Payments Bank's banking operations in accordance with the applicable banking and company laws.
• After the cancellation of Paytm Payments Bank's licence, the number of active Payments Banks in India has reduced to five.
• The five active Payments Banks in India are Airtel Payments Bank, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), Fino Payments Bank, Jio Payments Bank, and NSDL Payments Bank.

India Records All-Time High Exports of US$863.1 Billion in FY 2025–26, Led by Strong Merchandise and Services Trade

• India's total exports reached a record US$863.1 billion in FY 2025–26, comprising Merchandise Exports of US$441.8 billion and Services Exports of US$421.3 billion, reflecting strong growth in India's external trade.

Key Highlights :

• The Government of India stated that Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom (UK), Australia, Oman, New Zealand, Mauritius, and EFTA member countries have expanded market access, diversified export destinations, and boosted export growth.
• Among FTA partners, ASEAN emerged as India's largest merchandise export destination with exports worth US$38.42 billion, followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at US$37.36 billion, SAFTA countries at US$25.77 billion, the United Kingdom (UK), and Singapore.
• The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) came into force on 15 July 2026, with merchandise exports worth US$13.44 billion during FY26.
• Under the India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), operational since May 2022, more than 45 lakh Certificates of Origin have been issued, while the number of tariff lines exported increased from 7,546 in FY22 to 8,053 in FY26, with exports reaching US$37.3 billion.
• The India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), implemented in December 2022, has resulted in the issuance of over 73 lakh Certificates of Origin, with tariff lines increasing from 5,396 to 5,668 and exports reaching US$7.28 billion in FY26.
• The India–Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) expanded India's export basket, with tariff lines increasing by over 20% since FY22.
• The recently implemented India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) recorded encouraging early results, with exports to Oman increasing by 7% month-on-month and 189.6% year-on-year in June 2026.
• The India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), effective from October 2025, has shown positive utilization, with 7,885 Certificates of Origin issued since its implementation.
• To promote exports, the Government of India has strengthened digital trade facilitation through platforms such as Trade e-Connect and the Trade Intelligence and Analytics (TIA) Portal, providing exporters with market intelligence, FTA-related support, and improved access to global markets.

Axis Finance Unveils ‘Drishti’ Platform to Enhance Retail and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Credit Operations

• Axis Finance Limited (AFL) launched ‘Axis Finance Drishti’, an in-house Business Rules Engine (BRE) and configurable digital platform to strengthen credit decision-making, risk management, and lending efficiency across Retail and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) lending.
• The platform aims to enable faster, data-driven, scalable, and consistent credit assessments, while enhancing customer experience and improving the overall loan approval process.
• Axis Finance Drishti is an internally developed BRE that automates and standardises credit underwriting by leveraging advanced analytics, underwriting workflows, statistical scorecards, and multiple data sources.
• In Phase-I, the platform has been deployed for Personal Loans, Business Loans, Loan Against Property (LAP), and Disha Home Loans, enabling quicker and policy-based credit decisions.
• The platform supports automated policy-driven credit assessments, real-time decision-making, and Straight-Through Processing (STP), reducing manual intervention and improving operational efficiency.
• Axis Finance Drishti integrates advanced analytics, statistical scorecards, digital underwriting workflows, and multiple data sources to strengthen risk assessment and ensure consistent lending decisions.

About Axis Finance Limited (AFL) :

• It is a Non-Deposit-Taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) and a wholly owned subsidiary of Axis Bank.
• It was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

OmniCard Introduces India’s First Unified Payments Interface-Based Flexi Benefits Wallet for Employee Tax Savings

• OmniCard Platform, developed by Eroute Technologies Private Limited, launched India’s first Flexi Benefits Basket on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), providing a single employee-controlled digital wallet for tax-efficient employee benefits.
• The Flexi Benefits Basket is built on OmniCard’s RBI-licensed Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) platform and can be used at nearly 60 million UPI-accepting merchants across India.
• The platform enables employees to allocate benefit allowances across multiple tax-efficient categories, including Meals, Fuel, Telecom, Books & Periodicals, Gadgets, and other eligible benefits.
• The wallet uses Merchant Category Code (MCC)-based spending controls to ensure that benefits are spent only at eligible merchants, improving tax compliance and benefit administration.
• The platform allows employees to make payments through simple UPI Scan-and-Pay, eliminating the need for separate meal cards or multiple benefit wallets.
• Under the Income-tax Rules, 2026, notified by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and effective from 1 April 2026, the tax-free limit for employer-provided meals has been increased from ₹50 to ₹200 per meal, applicable under both the Old Tax Regime and the New Tax Regime, subject to prescribed conditions.
• The revised meal benefit limit allows employees to receive up to ₹1,05,600 annually as a tax-free meal benefit.
• OmniCard extends tax-efficient benefits beyond meals by covering categories such as Telecom (up to ₹36,000) and Books & Periodicals (up to ₹50,000), enabling total annual tax-free benefits exceeding ₹2,00,000 per employee, structured within the Cost to Company (CTC) at no additional cost to employers.

About OmniCard :

• OmniCard was launched in July 2021 as an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Corporate Spend Management Platform and payment ecosystem in India.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund Introduces India’s First Real Estate Investment Trusts-Focused Passive Index Fund

• Edelweiss Mutual Fund (MF) launched the Edelweiss Nifty REITs & Realty Index Fund, India’s first Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)-oriented open-ended passive index fund.
• The fund tracks the Nifty REITs & Realty Total Return Index (TRI) and aims to provide low-cost, long-term capital appreciation through diversified exposure to listed REITs and listed real estate companies.
• The benchmark index currently allocates around 60% to listed REITs and 40% to listed real estate companies, with the REIT allocation expected to increase as more REITs are listed.
• The fund enables investors to gain diversified exposure to India’s real estate sector through a single passive investment vehicle.
• Under SEBI regulations, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) were reclassified as equity instruments with effect from 1 January 2026.
• REITs became eligible for inclusion in equity indices from 1 July 2026, paving the way for dedicated REIT-based passive index funds.
• Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) continue to be classified as hybrid instruments under SEBI regulations and cannot be combined with REITs in a single passive index fund.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation to Replace Wholesale Price Index with Producer Price Index for Gross Domestic Product Deflation

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) announced that the Output Producer Price Index (PPI) will replace the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) as the GDP deflator for quarterly and annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates, wherever applicable.
• The Producer Price Index (PPI) series was released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in June 2026 to improve GDP measurement and align India's National Accounts with international statistical standards.
• The Output PPI will be used for GDP deflation, improving the accuracy of real GDP growth estimates by reducing distortions caused by the earlier methodology.
• Under the revised GDP series, the base year has been updated from 2011–12 to 2022–23, reflecting the latest economic structure and production patterns.
• The revised methodology adopts the Double Deflation approach, which separately adjusts output prices and input prices, providing a more accurate measure of real value added.
• The earlier Single Deflation method, which used the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for both output and input prices, is being replaced due to its tendency to distort GDP growth estimates.
• The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) will be phased out as the principal GDP deflator, while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) will continue to be used for specific granular items where appropriate.
• MoSPI plans to implement the PPI-based GDP estimation methodology from the April–June Quarter (Q1) of FY 2026–27, along with the release of the back series data under the revised GDP framework.
• According to the revised price indices, WPI inflation increased from 68% in May 2026 to 9.87% in June 2026, while Output PPI inflation rose from 9.38% to 9.57% during the same period.
• The Producer Price Index (PPI) measures the prices received by producers for goods and services and serves as a more appropriate indicator for GDP deflation than the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).

Recent News :

• In July 2026, The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has introduced India’s first trial version of the Index of Services Production (ISP) to measure the monthly performance of the formal services sector

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Indian Railways Approves ₹163 Crore Project to Upgrade Electric Traction System on Parbhani–Mudkhed Section

• Indian Railways has sanctioned a ₹163 crore project to upgrade the electric traction system on the Parbhani–Mudkhed double line section in the Nanded Division of the South-Central Railway (SCR).
• The project includes the upgradation of the existing 1×25 Kilovolt (kV) electric traction system to the 2×25 kV electric traction system along 164 Track Kilometres (TKM), along with associated power supply infrastructure.
• The upgraded 2×25 kV traction system will provide a more reliable and efficient power supply, enabling the section to handle higher freight and passenger traffic.
• The Parbhani–Mudkhed section is part of the strategically important Highly Utilised Network (HUN) Route-9, connecting:
• Ajmer
• Indore
• Khandwa
• Akola
• Purna
• Mudkhed
• Secunderabad
• Mahbubnagar
• Dhone
• The project will:
• Strengthen the power supply for train operations.
• Increase the freight carrying capacity of the route.
• Support the operation of Vande Bharat Express trains.
• Improve the efficiency and reliability of railway operations.
• The initiative will contribute to Indian Railways' target of achieving 3,000 million tonnes of freight loading by 2029–30.
• The project is part of Indian Railways' ongoing efforts to modernise electrical infrastructure and enhance operational efficiency on high-density railway corridors across the country.

About South-Central Railway

• Zone Headquarters: Secunderabad, Telangana
• Established: 1966
• General Manager: Shri Sanjay Kumar Srivastava

RECENT NEWS

• Indian railways have launched the CHIRAG Centre in Hyderabad. It is a dedicated national hub which aims to modernizing the human resource governance across the railway network. It is designed to strengthen digital HR systems, AI-based analytics and workforce training and it also reflects the Indian railways push toward smarter administration.

Assam Exports First International Consignment of Purabi Ice Cream to Bhutan

• Assam achieved a major milestone in its dairy sector by exporting the first international consignment of 5,627 litres of Purabi Ice Cream to Bhutan, marking the beginning of value-added dairy exports from the North Eastern Region.
• The export consignment was flagged off by Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, in Guwahati on 28th July 2026.
• The consignment was exported by North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL) and will be supplied to major markets in Bhutan, including:
• Thimphu
• Paro
• Phuentsholing
• Wangdue
• Purabi Ice Cream is manufactured by the West Assam Milk Producers' Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL) and marketed by North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL).
• The ice cream is produced using milk procured through Purabi Dairy's cooperative network of dairy farmers across Assam.
• The inaugural export consignment included a variety of products such as:
• Ice cream cups
• Family packs
• Cones
• Gallon packs
• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, facilitated the export by providing support in:
• Export documentation
• Regulatory compliance
• Market access facilitation
• Stakeholder coordination
• The initiative aims to:
• Promote value-added dairy exports from the North Eastern Region
• Expand the international market for Made-in-Assam dairy products
• Enhance income opportunities for dairy farmers associated with Assam's cooperative milk network
• Bhutan's geographical proximity provides a strategic advantage for expanding dairy exports and strengthening trade between the two neighbouring countries.
• North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL) plans to expand its export portfolio by introducing more Purabi Dairy products with longer shelf life and increasing export volumes based on market demand.

About Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

• Established: 1986
• Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chairman: Abhishek Dev

RECENT NEWS

• The state of Assam has another milestone to preserve and promoting the its rich cultural heritage with the grant of Geographical Indication (GI) tags to four traditional products. This newly recognized products includes the Karbi Anglong Handloom Products, Assam Bihu Pepa, Assam Bamboo Crafts and Deuri Handloom Products. 

Government Allocates Record ₹95,692 Crore for Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) in FY 2026–27

• The Government of India has allocated ₹95,692 crore for the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM (G)] Act, 2025 during the Financial Year 2026–27.
• Union Minister for Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, informed the Lok Sabha that this is the highest-ever Budget Estimate allocation made for any rural employment programme in India.
• The VB-G RAM (G) Act, 2025 provides a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment in a financial year to every willing rural household demanding work.
• The new Act replaces the earlier provision of 100 days of guaranteed wage employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
• The scope of permissible works has been significantly expanded with emphasis on:
• Water security
• Core rural infrastructure
• Livelihood infrastructure
• Mitigation of extreme weather events
• The Act also promotes convergence with Central and State Government schemes through a whole-of-government approach to improve implementation and resource utilisation.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Launches National Tiger Conservation Authority Eco-Tourism Webpage

• Global Tiger Day was celebrated on 29th July 2026 by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in New Delhi to promote tiger conservation and strengthen public awareness about protecting wildlife and natural habitats.
• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, addressed the event and called for a conservation-oriented lifestyle and a stronger societal connection with nature.
• The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh, senior government officials, wildlife experts, forest personnel, students, and other stakeholders.
• India's achievements in tiger conservation, that the country now has 3,682 tigers and 58 Tiger Reserves, reflecting significant progress over the last 12 years.
• During the event, Bhupender Yadav launched the NTCA Eco-Tourism Webpage, which provides direct links to the official websites of all Tiger Reserves for safari and accommodation bookings, promoting responsible and sustainable eco-tourism.
• The need for capacity building of forest personnel by adopting global best practices and the role of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) in promoting international cooperation for big cat conservation.
• NTCA Awards were presented to wildlife officers and other contributors for their outstanding work in tiger conservation and protected area management.
• A nationwide tiger conservation awareness campaign was conducted through Eco-Clubs under the Ministry's Environment Education Programme, with special focus on schools located near Tiger Reserves.
• The event also featured an exhibition of the best entries from painting, sketching, slogan-writing, and mask-making competitions organised on the theme "Save Tiger" for school students across Delhi-NCR.
• Five publications were released during the celebrations:
• NTCA Outreach Journal – STRIPES (July 2026 Edition)
• Security Audit Report of 24 Tiger Reserves
• Habitat Suitability Assessment for Sloth Bears across Tiger Landscapes in India
• Tigers of the World (published by International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and Global Tiger Forum (GTF))
• The Rehman Khera Tiger.

About Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:

• Cabinet Minister: Bhupender Yadav
• Constituency: Rajasthan
• Ministers of State (MoS): Kirti Vardhan Singh

Gulf of Khambhat (Kalpasar) Project: Gujarat’s Coastal Freshwater Reservoir Initiative

• The Government of Gujarat has proposed the ambitious Gulf of Khambhat Project, also known as the Kalpasar Project, as a major water resources development initiative.
• The project aims to create one of the world’s largest coastal freshwater reservoirs through the construction of a dam across the Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat.
• The information regarding the project was provided by Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
• The Kalpasar Project is expected to:
• Enhance freshwater availability in the Saurashtra region.
• Address regional water scarcity by providing a reliable source of water for irrigation and other requirements.
• Support agricultural development through improved water management.
• The project includes the construction of a highway-cum-rail corridor over the dam across the Gulf of Khambhat.
• The proposed corridor is expected to:
• Reduce the travel distance between Bhavnagar and Surat by approximately 179 kilometres.
• Reduce the existing route distance from around 356 kilometres to nearly 177 kilometres through the proposed dyke corridor.
• Improve regional connectivity and reduce travel time.
• The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Kalpasar Project is at an advanced stage of finalisation.
• The ongoing Indo-Dutch technical cooperation will strengthen the DPR by incorporating international expertise in:
• Coastal engineering
• Hydraulic modelling
• Salinity management
• Climate resilience
• Water management
• The project also proposes the development of approximately 2,470 Megawatt (MW) hybrid renewable energy capacity on reclaimed land that remains submerged during high tide.
• The renewable energy generated will be used, among other purposes, for pumping freshwater to meet irrigation requirements in coastal areas of Saurashtra.
• The DPR includes engineering measures, hydraulic studies, and salinity management strategies to address salinity ingress in coastal regions.

About Gujarat:

• Chief Minister: Bhupendra Patel
• Governor: Acharya Dev Vrat
• Capital: Gandhinagar
• National Parks: Gir, Blackbuck, Gulf of Kutch (Marine), Vansda National Parks
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Nal Sarovar Bird, Wild Ass, Kutch Desert, Barda, Purna Wildlife Sanctuaries

India Becomes the World’s Second-Largest Supplier of Seafarers: BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026

• According to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, India has become the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers, contributing 311,936 maritime professionals to the global shipping industry.
• India now accounts for 12.16% of the global seafaring workforce, ranking second after the Philippines, and ahead of China, the Russian Federation, and Indonesia.
• The report estimates the global seafaring workforce at 2.57 million, while the global demand stands at 2.55 million, highlighting a shortage of qualified officers in the maritime industry.
• India’s share of the global seafaring workforce has increased significantly:
• 2015: 5.2% (Ranked 5th globally)
• 2021: 6% (Ranked 5th globally)
• 2026: 12.16% (Ranked 2nd globally)
• India currently supplies:
• 140,718 Officers, accounting for 13.41% of the global officer workforce.
• 171,218 Ratings, accounting for 11.29% of the global ratings serving on merchant vessels.
• The report highlights India as a key contributor in addressing the global shortage of qualified maritime officers.
• The growth has been supported by reforms including:
• Expansion of maritime education and skill development.
• Modernisation of maritime training infrastructure.
• Increased capacity of maritime training institutes.
• Digitisation of seafarer certification and regulatory services through the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS).
• Compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
• Since 2021, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has undertaken major maritime reforms through the enactment of:
• Inland Vessels Act, 2021
• Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
• Indian Ports Act, 2025
• Coastal Shipping Act, 2025
• Bills of Lading Act, 2025
• Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 2025
• These legislations aim to modernise maritime governance, improve seafarer welfare, align India's laws with international conventions, simplify regulations, and enhance the ease of doing business.
• Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced the Mission 20% initiative, which aims to increase India’s share of the global seafaring workforce from 12.16% to 20%.
• Under Mission 20%, the Government plans to:
• Expand maritime training capacity.
• Increase shipboard training opportunities.
• Strengthen industry–academia partnerships.
• Promote the use of digital technologies.
• Encourage greater participation of women in maritime careers.
• The initiative supports the objectives of Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, aimed at making India a leading global maritime nation.

About BIMCO

• Full Form: Baltic and International Maritime Council
• Headquarters: Denmark
• The President of BIMCO for 2026 is Paul Pathy
• Objective: To represent the global shipping industry by promoting safe, efficient, and sustainable maritime trade.

About International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Established: 1921
• Objective: To represent the interests of the global shipping industry and promote safe, secure, and environmentally sustainable shipping.

Delhi Government Approves Delhi Lakshmi Yojana to Provide Monthly Financial Assistance to Women

• The Delhi Government approved the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, a welfare scheme aimed at the economic empowerment and social security of women.
• The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at the Delhi Secretariat.
• Under the scheme, eligible women will receive financial assistance of ₹2,500 per month.
• The Delhi Government has allocated ₹5,110 crore for the implementation of the scheme in the 2026–27 Budget.
• The registration portal for the scheme will open on 1st August 2026.
• Women aged between 21 and 60 years with an annual family income of up to ₹2.5 lakh will be eligible to avail the benefits under the scheme.
• The scheme aims to promote:
• Financial security
• Education
• Healthcare
• Skill development
• Savings
• Greater social participation of women
• The scheme is expected to benefit more than 17 lakh women across Delhi, helping them become self-reliant and economically empowered.

About Delhi (National Capital Territory):

• Chief Minister: Rekha Gupta
• Lieutenant Governor: Taranjit Singh Sandhu
• Capital: New Delhi
• National Parks: None
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Asola Bhatti (Indira Priyadarshini) Wildlife Sanctuary

RECENT NEWS

• The Delhi Government has given approval for the rollout of the Parivartan Scheme, which is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). This scheme has been formulated to replace the old BS-IV commercial vehicles as well as older vehicles with BS-VI vehicles or electric vehicles thereby reducing the emissions from vehicles in the National Capital Region (NCR) of India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Odisha Initiates Land Acquisition for Indian Oil Corporation's ₹61,077 Crore Paradip Petrochemical Complex

• The Government of Odisha has initiated the land acquisition process for Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)'s ₹61,077 crore Paradip Petrochemical Complex, marking IOC's largest-ever single-location investment.
• The Paradip Petrochemical Complex will be developed around a 5 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) dual-feed naphtha cracker, supported by multiple downstream petrochemical units and the proposed Paradip Plastic Park.
• The Odisha Government has started the mandatory Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for acquiring approximately 220 acres of private land, which forms part of the total 2,200 acres required for the integrated project.
• The private land identified for acquisition is located at Badakantakandha village, Erasama Tehsil, Jagatsinghpur district, adjacent to IOC's existing Paradip Refinery.
• The land acquisition will be carried out through the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO).
• The project is based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in April 2025 between Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and the Government of Odisha in the presence of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
• The integrated complex will manufacture key petrochemical products including Polypropylene (PP), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Phenol, Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA), and Butadiene.
• These products will provide essential feedstock for industries such as pharmaceuticals, packaging, plastics, paints, adhesives, agrochemicals, and manufacturing.
• The project aims to reduce India's dependence on petrochemical imports, strengthen the domestic petrochemical value chain, attract downstream industrial investments, and establish Paradip as a major petrochemical manufacturing hub.

About Indian Oil Corporation :

• Headquarters : New Delhi, India
• Chairman : Arvindar Singh Sahney

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPS & PORTALS

Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute Launches ‘Shark Aware’ App and E-Learning Module to Promote Shark Conservation

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) launched the "Shark Aware" mobile application and an interactive e-learning module to enhance awareness, identification, and conservation of protected and endangered sharks and rays in India.
• The digital tools were released by Kerala Fisheries Minister V. E. Abdul Gafoor and developed by a scientific team led by Livi Wilson, Senior Scientist, Finfish Fisheries Division, ICAR-CMFRI, with financial support from the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).
• The "Shark Aware" mobile app enables users to identify legally protected sharks and rays and provides scientific, legal, conservation, and species identification information in a user-friendly format.
• The app includes details of species protected under Schedules I, II, and IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2022, along with information on legal protection status, international trade regulations, and their conservation significance.
• The app will benefit fishermen, fisheries officials, wildlife enforcement officers, researchers, students, and the general public by improving the identification of protected elasmobranch species and supporting the effective implementation of wildlife protection laws.
• The interactive e-learning module is a self-learning digital platform featuring multiple-choice quizzes, instant assessments, and learning progress evaluation to strengthen knowledge of protected sharks and rays.
• The e-learning module covers important topics such as the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), species identification, and the conservation importance of protected elasmobranchs.
• The initiative aims to strengthen the conservation of endangered sharks and rays, promote sustainable marine biodiversity, improve compliance with wildlife protection laws, and increase public awareness through accessible digital learning.
• ICAR-CMFRI is a premier marine fisheries research institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and is headquartered in Kochi, Kerala.

Recent News :

• In July 2026, The Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) launched DeepDATA, a mobile application developed under the Deep Ocean Mission of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in Kochi, Kerala.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Unveils Artificial Intelligence-Based PRAXIS Mission Concept for Direct Sampling of Saturn’s Ring Particles

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has proposed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered mission concept named PRAXIS (Planetary Rings Autonomous EXploration with In-situ Sampling) under Phase I of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) 2026 Program.

Key Highlights :

• The PRAXIS mission aims to achieve the first-ever direct collection and in-situ analysis of particles from Saturn's rings, addressing one of the highest priorities in planetary science decadal surveys.
• The project is being led by B. Marco Quadrelli, Principal and Group Supervisor of the Robotics Modelling and Simulation Group at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California, United States (USA).
• The primary objective of PRAXIS is to provide the first direct observations of millimetre- to centimetre-sized (mm–cm) ring particles, which were not directly studied by NASA's Cassini mission.
• Saturn's rings are composed mainly of water ice and contain particles ranging from tiny grains to house-sized boulders, which continuously collide, merge, and break apart.
• The mission will use an AI-powered, bio-inspired robotic explorer equipped with robotic autonomy, collision avoidance, precision sampling, and real-time in-situ scientific analysis to safely collect and study ring particles.
• PRAXIS will employ a sport casting-inspired particle capture system and a long, soft, deployable boom to perform touch-and-go sampling operations, allowing the spacecraft to remain at a safe distance from the rapidly moving ring particles.
• The collected samples will be analysed to determine their size, porosity, composition, and physical characteristics, providing valuable information on the formation, age, origin, and evolution of Saturn's ring system.
• After collecting a sample, the spacecraft will move to different sections and gaps within Saturn's rings to study particles from multiple regions and improve scientific understanding.
• The Phase I of the NIAC 2026 Program focuses on simulation studies, mission design, and feasibility analysis, which could lead to the development of a physical prototype in Phase II.
• Technologies validated through PRAXIS are expected to support future exploration of the ring systems of Uranus and Neptune, as well as minor bodies such as Centaurs Chariklo and Chiron.

About NASA :

• Formed : July 29, 1958
• Headquarters : Washington, D.C
• Administrator : Jared Isaacman

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Engineers India Limited and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Critical Minerals Collaboration

• Engineers India Limited (EIL), a public sector engineering consultancy company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), Bhubaneswar, to strengthen collaboration in:
• Mineral processing
• Extractive metallurgy
• Critical and strategic minerals value chain
• The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by:
• Rajiv Agarwal – Director (Technical), Engineers India Limited (EIL)
• Ramanuj Narayan – Director, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT)
• Under the agreement, Engineers India Limited (EIL) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT) will jointly:
• Identify, evaluate and undertake Research and Development (R&D) initiatives in critical and strategic minerals.
• Facilitate the exchange of technical expertise.
• Conduct capacity-building programmes.
• Support technology scale-up and commercial deployment of innovative solutions.
• Execute pilot-scale and commercial projects in the minerals and metallurgy sector.
• The collaboration will strengthen India’s capabilities in the critical minerals sector, which plays an important role in emerging industries such as:
• Renewable energy
• Electric vehicles
• Semiconductors
• Advanced manufacturing

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Gulveer Singh and Harjinder Kaur Win Silver Medals as India’s Medal Tally Reaches 12 at Commonwealth Games 2026

• Gulveer Singh created history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win a medal in the Men's 10,000 Metre race at the Commonwealth Games, securing the Silver Medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland.
• The reigning Asian champion clocked 27 minutes 49.78 seconds to finish second behind Ky Robinson (Australia), who won the Gold Medal.
• Harjinder Kaur won the Silver Medal in the Women's 69 Kilogram Weightlifting event with a combined lift of 227 kilograms.
• The medal marked Harjinder Kaur's second consecutive Commonwealth Games medal, having won the Bronze Medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, England.
• Harjinder Kaur's achievement became India's seventh medal in weightlifting from eight weightlifting events at the Commonwealth Games 2026.
• With these victories, India's medal tally at the Commonwealth Games 2026 reached 12 medals, comprising:
• 2 Gold
• 7 Silver
• 3 Bronze
• President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan congratulated Gulveer Singh and Harjinder Kaur on their silver medal-winning performances.
• In boxing, four Indian boxers secured at least Bronze Medals by advancing to the semi-finals:
• Lovlina Borgohain – Women's 75 Kilogram
• Preeti Pawar – Women's 54 Kilogram
• Priya Ghanghas – Women's 60 Kilogram, after defeating Niamh Mitchell (Scotland) by 4–1 in the quarter-finals.
• Jadumani Singh Mandengbam – Men's 55 Kilogram
• The four boxers will now compete in the semi-finals for a chance to upgrade their medals to Silver or Gold.

Daily CA One- Liner: July 30

• Indian Railways has sanctioned a ₹163 crore project to upgrade the electric traction system on the Parbhani–Mudkhed double line section in the Nanded Division of the South-Central Railway
• Assam achieved a major milestone in its dairy sector by exporting the first international consignment of 5,627 litres of Purabi Ice Cream to Bhutan, marking the beginning of value-added dairy exports from the North Eastern Region
• The Government of India has allocated ₹95,692 crore for the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM (G)] Act, 2025 during the Financial Year 2026–27
• Global Tiger Day was celebrated on 29th July 2026 by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in New Delhi to promote tiger conservation and strengthen public awareness about protecting wildlife and natural habitats
• The Government of Gujarat has proposed the ambitious Gulf of Khambhat Project, also known as the Kalpasar Project, as a major water resources development initiative
• According to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, India has become the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers, contributing 311,936 maritime professionals to the global shipping industry
• The Delhi Government approved the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, a welfare scheme aimed at the economic empowerment and social security of women
• Engineers India Limited (EIL), a public sector engineering consultancy company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), Bhubaneswar
• Gulveer Singh created history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win a medal in the Men's 10,000 Metre race at the Commonwealth Games, securing the Silver Medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland.
• The Government of India (GoI) has approved the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposal to conduct field trials of 1 billion (100 crore) polymer banknotes each in the ₹10 and ₹20 denominations, marking a major step towards introducing more durable and secure currency notes in India.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released draft amendments proposing that all Securitisation Notes (SNs) must be issued, held, and transferred only in dematerialised (demat) form to enhance transparency, efficiency, liquidity, and investor protection in the securitisation market.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) with effect from 24 April 2026 under Section 22(4) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• India's total exports reached a record US$863.1 billion in FY 2025–26, comprising Merchandise Exports of US$441.8 billion and Services Exports of US$421.3 billion, reflecting strong growth in India's external trade.
• Axis Finance Limited (AFL) launched ‘Axis Finance Drishti’, an in-house Business Rules Engine (BRE) and configurable digital platform to strengthen credit decision-making, risk management, and lending efficiency across Retail and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) lending.
• OmniCard Platform, developed by Eroute Technologies Private Limited, launched India’s first Flexi Benefits Basket on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), providing a single employee-controlled digital wallet for tax-efficient employee benefits.
• Edelweiss Mutual Fund (MF) launched the Edelweiss Nifty REITs & Realty Index Fund, India’s first Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)-oriented open-ended passive index fund.
• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) announced that the Output Producer Price Index (PPI) will replace the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) as the GDP deflator for quarterly and annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates, wherever applicable.
• The Government of Odisha has initiated the land acquisition process for Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)'s ₹61,077 crore Paradip Petrochemical Complex, marking IOC's largest-ever single-location investment.
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) launched the "Shark Aware" mobile application and an interactive e-learning module to enhance awareness, identification, and conservation of protected and endangered sharks and rays in India.
• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has proposed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered mission concept named PRAXIS (Planetary Rings Autonomous EXploration with In-situSampling) under Phase I of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) 2026 Program.