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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Asian Development Bank Sanctions USD 850 Million to Support India’s Prime Minister Surya Ghar Rooftop Solar Programme

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved an USD 850 million loan to support the Government of India (GoI) in accelerating rooftop solar adoption under the Prime Minister Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG-MBY).
• The funding is provided under Subprogram 2 of the Accelerating Affordable and Inclusive Rooftop Solar Systems Development Program, which builds on Subprogram 1 approved in November 2025 that established the policy, institutional, digital, financing, and market framework for large-scale rooftop solar deployment.
• The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG-MBY) aims to install rooftop solar systems for 10 million low- and middle-income households and achieve 30 Giga-Watt (GW) of cumulative residential rooftop solar capacity by FY 2026–27 (FY27).
• The ADB financing will accelerate rooftop solar adoption by improving financial incentives, affordable financing, grid readiness, distribution company (DISCOM) participation, private sector investment, digital application and monitoring systems, and utility engagement.
• The programme will provide financial assistance for at least 3.5 million rooftop solar installations, reducing upfront costs and expanding access to affordable clean energy for households.
• The initiative also supports domestic manufacturing, energy storage, solar panel recycling, battery waste management, and increased household use of renewable energy.
• The programme will facilitate the development of model solar villages, promote innovative distributed solar projects, strengthen vendor accountability, and encourage women's participation in the distributed renewable energy sector.
• Under the programme, at least 6,000 people will receive training and certification, with at least one-third being women, to strengthen the skills of grid personnel, rural entrepreneurs, and the clean energy workforce.
• The ADB's support is expected to help India achieve its target of 30 GW of rooftop solar capacity, reduce 8 Million Tonnes (MT) of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) equivalent emissions, mobilise private sector investment, and expand access to affordable solar energy.

Recent news :

• In July 2026, The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a USD 230 million (approximately Rs. 1,920 crore) loan to modernise and expand Chennai’s water supply and sanitation infrastructure in Tamil Nadu (TN).

About ADB :

• Formation : 19 December 1966
• Headquarters : Philippines
• President : Masato Kanda
• Members : 69 countries

Reserve Bank of India Penalises Six Companies, Including Muthoot Finance, for Violating Non-Banking Financial Company Regulatory Norms

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed monetary penalties on six companies, including Muthoot Finance, for non-compliance with various provisions of the RBI Act and Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)
• Muthoot Finance was fined ₹5.80 lakh for failing to periodically review the risk categorisation of customer accounts and for not deploying robust software to effectively identify and report suspicious financial transactions.
• Avail Financial Services was penalised ₹6.20 lakh because its Managing Director held directorships in two other Middle Layer NBFCs, and the company violated the prescribed single-party exposure limit.
• Satya MicroCapital was fined ₹3.10 lakh for failing to classify certain restructured accounts as Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) in accordance with RBI regulations.
• PAN Emami Cosmed was also fined ₹3.10 lakh for non-compliance with RBI regulatory provisions.
• Dhani Loans and Services and Muthoot Vehicle and Asset Finance were each penalised ₹2.70 lakh for violating RBI's regulatory norms.

Piramal Finance and Muthoot Fincorp Partner to Expand Affordable Housing and Loan Against Property Financing Across India

• Piramal Finance entered into a co-lending partnership with Muthoot Fincorp to expand access to affordable housing finance and Loan Against Property (LAP) solutions across India.
• The partnership aims to improve the availability of formal credit for aspiring homeowners, self-employed professionals, small business owners, and underserved borrowers, particularly in Tier-2, Tier-3, semi-urban, and rural areas.
• Under the co-lending model, both Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) will jointly finance eligible borrowers, enabling wider credit outreach, faster loan disbursal, better risk sharing, and improved access to organised financing.
• The collaboration combines the strengths of Piramal Finance and Muthoot Fincorp to strengthen housing finance, expand Loan Against Property (LAP) lending, and promote financial inclusion in underserved markets.

Revolut Launches Revolut Bank Australia After Securing Full Banking Licence, Marking Its First APAC Banking Entity

• Global fintech company Revolut received a full Authorised Deposit-taking Institution (ADI) licence from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), officially launching as Revolut Bank Australia.
• With this approval, Revolut became the first global fintech to secure a full unrestricted ADI licence in Australia, marking its first banking entity in the Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• Revolut Bank Australia plans to invest approximately AUD 400 million over the next five years to support product innovation, business growth, technology development, and the expansion of its local workforce.
• As an APRA-authorised bank, Revolut Bank Australia will provide customers with protection under Australia’s Financial Claims Scheme (FCS), which insures eligible deposits up to AUD 250,000 per account holder.
• The new banking licence enables Revolut to transition its more than 1 million Australian retail customers and thousands of businesses into a fully regulated banking ecosystem.
• The approval expands Revolut’s licensed banking presence to Australia, adding to its existing banking footprint across the United Kingdom (UK), European Economic Area (EEA), and Mexico.

About Revolut :

• Revolut, founded in 2015 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom, is a global digital banking and fintech company providing banking, payments, foreign exchange, investment, and cryptocurrency services, with more than 75 million customers worldwide.
• Founder and CEO : Nik Storonsky

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

India to Establish First Telecom Manufacturing Zone in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

• Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, announced that India's first Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) will be established in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, and the Government of Madhya Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Phase I of the project at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
• The Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) will be developed over 350 acres on a plug-and-play model, with the Central Government providing ₹493 crore as 100% financial assistance for developing core infrastructure during the first phase.
• The zone will serve as a dedicated manufacturing ecosystem for telecommunications equipment, data centres, semiconductor manufacturing, fibre optic products, mobile phones, and fifth-generation (5G) and sixth-generation (6G) technologies, promoting indigenous design and manufacturing.
• Unlike Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which primarily focus on exports, the Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) is designed to strengthen domestic telecom manufacturing, encourage innovation, and build a self-reliant telecommunications ecosystem under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• The project is expected to attract investments of ₹12,000–15,000 crore and generate around 5,000 direct employment opportunities, while enhancing India's position as a global hub for telecom equipment manufacturing.

About Madhya Pradesh:

• Chief Minister: Mohan Yadav
• Governor: Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
• Capital: Bhopal
• National Parks: Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Pench National Park, Panna National Park, Satpura National Park, Sanjay National Park, Madhav National Park, Van Vihar National Park, Mandla Plant Fossils National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Pench Wildlife Sanctuary, Panna Wildlife Sanctuary, Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Singhori Wildlife Sanctuary, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary

About Ministry of Communications:

• Cabinet Minister: Jyotiraditya M. Scindia
• Constituency: Madhya Pradesh
• Ministers of State (MoS): Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani

RECENT NEWS

• Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed a Bill to bring a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the State through a voice vote amid uproar by the Opposition Congress. The Madhya Pradesh Uniform Civil Code 2026 Bill was introduced a day earlier on the first day of the Assembly’s Monsoon session after it was approved by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s Cabinet.

President Droupadi Murmu Marks Four Years in Office with New Citizen-Centric Initiatives at Rashtrapati Bhavan

• President Droupadi Murmu completed four years in office.
• To mark the occasion, she inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several citizen-centric and sustainable initiatives at Rashtrapati Bhavan and the President’s Estates on 28 July 2026.
• The President launched an e-Audio Guide for visitors to Rashtrapati Bhavan, available in Hindi, English and 14 other Indian languages, along with a sign language module to improve accessibility for visitors.
• She launched the third edition of e-Upahaar, featuring 300 curated Presidential gifts for public auction. The auction will be conducted from 5 August to 5 September 2026.
• The President inaugurated Bachpan 'Bal Parisar', comprising 'Kilkari' (a children's play zone) and 'Samarth Anganwadi-cum-Palna', to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children in the President's Estate.
• She launched RAAHI (Rashtrapati Bhavan Access And Heritage Interconnector), a fare-free electric bus service operated by women drivers and conductors, promoting green, safe and inclusive mobility for staff and residents of the President’s Estate.
• As part of the Net Zero Energy Strategy, the President laid the foundation stone for a new service block and inaugurated accommodation facilities at Rashtrapati Niketan (Dehradun) and Rashtrapati Nilayam (Secunderabad), besides laying the foundation stone for the redevelopment of staff quarters.
• During the event, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan released five publications documenting different phases of President Droupadi Murmu’s Presidency, including:
• Rashtrapati Bhavan: Rashtra Ka Bhavan
• Seva Aur Samvedana
• Samaveshi Sahbhaghita
• Bharatiyata Ka Utsav
• Ama Rashtrapati - Ama Gourav (a collection of Odia articles)

 Chhattisgarh Launches DWEEPTI Yojana to Empower Women in the Renewable Energy Sector

• Chhattisgarh has launched the DWEEPTI Yojana (Decentralised Women Empowerment on Energy and Policy for Transformative Inclusion), the country's first women-led distributed renewable energy policy, aimed at empowering rural women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the solar energy sector.
• The scheme has been developed by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, in collaboration with Transform Rural India, under the Green Economy Transition Mission.
• The initiative enables women SHGs to work as authorised solar vendors, technicians, managers and entrepreneurs, promoting sustainable livelihoods and clean energy adoption.
• As part of the initial implementation, 13 Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) across 12 districts have been registered as authorised vendors under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, in partnership with the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL).
• To improve financial accessibility, the scheme provides flexible loans to SHG members for installing rooftop solar systems, supporting the vision of the Lakhpati Didi Initiative by creating skill-based livelihood opportunities.
• Kabirdham district has become the flagship district for the scheme's implementation, where the Vande Mataram Cluster Level Federation was registered as an authorised solar vendor.
• With technical support from Tata, around 35 women from local SHGs received practical training in rooftop solar installation, becoming the state's first "Solar Didis".
• The first rooftop solar system under the DWEEPTI Yojana was successfully installed in Samnapur village, Kabirdham district.
• Following the successful pilot, the Government of Chhattisgarh plans to expand the DWEEPTI Yojana to all districts of the state, creating a scalable model of women-led renewable energy development.

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

Lok Sabha Passes Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026

• The Lok Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by a voice vote to strengthen the legal framework against the use of unfair means in public examinations and protect the interests of students and job aspirants.
• Replying to the debate, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, stated that the amendments aim to enhance the integrity, transparency, and credibility of the public examination system while effectively tackling organised examination-related crimes.
• The Amendment Bill strengthens the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which applies to examinations conducted by major recruitment agencies such as:
• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
• Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
• Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs)
• Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
• National Testing Agency (NTA)
• Key provisions of the Amendment Bill include:
• Punishment for individuals using unfair means has been increased from 3–5 years to 5–10 years imprisonment, with the maximum fine raised from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
• For service providers involved in examination malpractices, the maximum fine has been increased from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore, and the debarment period from conducting public examinations has been extended from 4 years to 8 years.
• Punishment for directors and senior management of service providers has been enhanced to 5–10 years' imprisonment, along with a maximum fine of ₹5 crore.
• Punishment for organised examination-related crimes has been increased from 5–10 years to 7–10 years' imprisonment, while the maximum fine has been enhanced from ₹1 crore to ₹10 crore.
• The Bill also provides for the establishment of Special Fast Track Courts for offences related to public examinations, with investigations to be completed within 2 months and trials within 3 months from the filing of the charge sheet.
• It also provides for the appointment of Special Public Prosecutors and empowers the Government to constitute a Special Task Force for investigating offences under the Act.
• Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that 52 First Information Reports (FIRs) have already been registered under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, highlighting the Government's commitment to strict enforcement against examination-related offences.

About Ministry of Earth Sciences:

• Minister of State (Independent Charge): Dr. Jitendra Singh
• Constituency: Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir

10th India Mobile Congress 2026 to be Held in New Delhi with Theme “Scale without Boundaries”

• Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia unveiled the theme “Scale without Boundaries” for the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026, which will be held from 7–10 October 2026 at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention and Expo Centre), New Delhi.
• Organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), India Mobile Congress (IMC) is Asia’s largest digital technology forum that brings together global technology companies, telecom operators, policymakers, startups, investors, researchers, and innovators.
• The theme “Scale without Boundaries” reflects India's vision of expanding digital transformation by enabling technology, innovation, and connectivity to reach every sector, community, and region through greater collaboration among industry, academia, startups, infrastructure providers, policymakers, and consumers.
• The 10th India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 is centred around four key pillars:
• Srishti – Building the Future: Focus on innovation, emerging technologies, and next-generation digital infrastructure.
• Suraksha – Strengthening Trust: Promote secure, resilient, and trusted digital ecosystems.
• Sashakt – Expanding Opportunities: Expand digital opportunities for citizens, businesses, startups, and communities.
• Samvardhan – Fueling Growth: Drive economic growth, entrepreneurship, investments, job creation, and India's emergence as a global technology leader.
• The event will showcase cutting-edge technologies such as Fifth Generation (5G), Sixth Generation (6G), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, edge computing, satellite communications, electronics manufacturing, quantum technologies, and green technologies, along with technology demonstrations, product launches, policy dialogues, investment opportunities, and industry collaborations.
• The flagship startup programme ASPIRE will continue to support emerging technology startups by connecting them with investors, incubators, accelerators, industry leaders, and potential partners, while promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Over the past decade, India Mobile Congress (IMC) has evolved into a premier global platform for telecommunications and digital technologies.
• The previous edition witnessed more than 1.4 lakh visitors, 860 exhibitors, representatives from 101 countries, 1,500 technology use cases, 465 startups, and 918 speakers across 113 sessions.

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 Cabinet has approved the implementation of the Centre’s ‘Parivartan’ scheme to replace old commercial vehicles with cleaner BS-VI-compliant and electric vehicles, a move aimed at reducing vehicular emissions and strengthening the capital’s clean transport system.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Appointments Committee of the Cabinet Appoints Satya Pal Kumar as New Director of Financial Intelligence Unit–India

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed Satya Pal Kumar, a 2005-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of the Income Tax cadre, as the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit–India (FIU-IND) under the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF).
• The appointment was made as part of a Joint Secretary-level reshuffle, and Satya Pal Kumar succeeded Pankaj Kumar Mishra (IRS, 1989 batch), who had served as Director of FIU-IND since May 2016.
• Satya Pal Kumar has been appointed for a 5-year tenure at the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India (GoI).
• Before this appointment, Satya Pal Kumar served as the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• The appointment is expected to strengthen India’s financial intelligence framework for combating Money Laundering, Terror Financing, and Suspicious Financial Transactions, reinforcing the country's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating Financing of Terrorism (CFT)
• The ACC also announced several other Joint Secretary-level appointments, including Avanish Kumar Mishra (ISS, 2000) as Joint Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Abhijit Phukon (IES, 2004) as Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Sudhir Shyam (IES, 1999) as Joint Secretary, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), Kuldip Narayan (IAS, 2005) as Adviser, NITI Aayog, Lalithalakshmi (IAS, 2008) as Professor at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), and Sajeesh Kumar N (IRTS, 2002) as Joint Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment.

About Financial Intelligence Unit–India (FIU-IND) :

• The Financial Intelligence Unit–India (FIU-IND) is the national financial intelligence agency responsible for receiving, processing, analysing, and disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions to various law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
• FIU-IND was established in 2004, functions under the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF), and is headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Competition Commission of India Clears Go Digit Infoworks–Go Digit General Insurance Merger

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MoCA), approved the proposed merger of Go Digit Infoworks Services Private Limited (Infoworks) with Go Digit General Insurance Limited (GDGIL).
• The merger is the first-ever merger between an insurance company and a non-insurance holding company under the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act, 2025, making it an important milestone in India's insurance sector.
• Go Digit General Insurance Limited (GDGIL) is a public limited company engaged in providing general insurance and health insurance products and services across India.
• Under the approved merger scheme, Go Digit Infoworks Services Private Limited will be merged into Go Digit General Insurance Limited, thereby eliminating the holding company structure and enabling shareholders to hold shares directly in the insurance company.
• As per the CCI approval, Go Digit General Insurance Limited (GDGIL) will remain the surviving entity after the completion of the merger.
• Following the merger, FAL Corporation, a part of the Canadian Fairfax Group, will hold a 57.28% stake in Go Digit General Insurance Limited (GDGIL).
• The Fairfax Group operates globally in property and casualty insurance, reinsurance, and investment management, and is the key promoter of Go Digit General Insurance.

About Go Digit General Insurance Limited (GDGIL) :

• Established: December 2016
• Headquarters : Pune, Maharashtra, and is backed by Fairfax Financial Holdings.

About CCI:

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body within the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and is responsible for enforcing the Competition Act of 2002.
• Founded: October 14, 2003
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Chairperson: Ravneet Kaur

Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund Crosses 5% Shareholding in South Indian Bank Through Open Market Purchase

• Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company (KMAMC) announced that Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund (KMMF) increased its stake in South Indian Bank to more than 5% through an open market purchase.
• Before the acquisition, KMMF held 12.04 crore shares (4.5981%) in South Indian Bank and acquired an additional 1.47 crore shares (0.5614%), increasing its total holding to 13.51 crore shares (5.1595%).
• The acquisition involved 14,694,332 equity shares, resulting in KMMF crossing the 5% substantial acquisition threshold prescribed under SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011 (SAST Regulations).
• The transaction was executed entirely through open market purchases, with no involvement of warrants, convertible securities, or encumbered shares, and KMMF is not part of the promoter or promoter group of South Indian Bank.
• South Indian Bank disclosed the acquisition on 23 July 2026 in compliance with Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (LODR Regulations) and Regulation 29(1) of the SEBI (SAST) Regulations, 2011.
• The disclosure was communicated by Jimmy Mathew, Company Secretary of South Indian Bank, to the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and BSE Limited.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ENVIRONMENT

Researchers Discover New Bracket Fungus Species Microporellus kolhapurensis in Maharashtra

• Researchers from Maharashtra discovered a new polypore (bracket) fungus species named Microporellus kolhapurensis in Bhudargad taluka, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, growing on rotting wood in the Bediv area near the Ajra border.
• The newly discovered fungus was named Microporellus kolhapurensis after Kolhapur district in recognition of the region's rich biodiversity.
• The discovery was made by Dr. Anjali Patil, Head, Department of Botany, Rajaram College, Kolhapur, along with research scholar Yogesh Patil during field studies in the Bediv area of Bhudargad taluka.
• The research describing the new species was published in Nelumbo, the official research journal of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI).
• Microporellus kolhapurensis is a polypore (bracket) fungus that generally grows singly on rotting wood and has a fruiting period from July to September.
• The fungus is distinguished by its yellowish-orange to grayish-brown colour, umbrella-shaped structure, lateral stalk, ground-growing habit, large pores, teardrop-shaped spores, and unique thick-walled cystidia, making it different from other closely related species.
• The discovery significantly enriches the documented fungal diversity of the Western Ghats and Maharashtra, highlighting the ecological importance of the region.
• Microporellus obovatus was previously the only recorded species of the Microporellus genus in Maharashtra, making Microporellus kolhapurensis the second recorded species of the genus in the state.
• Globally, the genus Microporellus comprises about 36 recognised species, with Microporellus kolhapurensis becoming a valuable addition to the known fungal diversity.

About Botanical Survey of India (BSI) :

• Established : 1890
• Headquarters : Kolkata, West Bengal
• It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and is responsible for the survey, documentation, conservation, and research of India's plant diversity.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NVIDIA, Microsoft, International Business Machines Corporation Launch Open Secure AI Alliance to Enhance Artificial Intelligence Security

• NVIDIA, Microsoft Corporation, IBM (International Business Machines Corporation), along with leading technology companies and research institutions, launched the Open Secure AI Alliance (OSAA) to strengthen the security, trustworthiness, and resilience of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems through open collaboration and shared security standards.
• The Open Secure AI Alliance (OSAA) aims to promote secure-by-design AI development, improve the security, transparency, and reliability of AI systems, facilitate information sharing on AI-related threats and vulnerabilities, and encourage the adoption of common AI security standards across the global AI ecosystem.
• The alliance was launched shortly after a cybersecurity incident at Hugging Face, where the company's infrastructure was breached during an AI system security evaluation, highlighting the growing need for stronger AI security frameworks.
• The OSAA consists of more than 35 inaugural members representing the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, enterprise software, and cloud computing.
• Major members of the alliance include NVIDIA, Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Dell Technologies, Cloudflare, Red Hat, Hugging Face, Salesforce, SAP, ServiceNow, and the Linux Foundation.
• Alliance members will contribute AI models, software, datasets, and research to strengthen cybersecurity, improve AI safety, and accelerate the responsible adoption of AI technologies across industries.

About NVIDIA Corporation :

• Founded : 1993
• Headquarters : Santa Clara, California, United States of America (USA), specializes in Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), AI computing platforms, and accelerated computing
• President : Jensen Huang

Ministry of Earth Sciences Marks 20th Foundation Day with Launch of New Weather, Ocean and Earth Science Initiatives

• The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) celebrated its 20th Foundation Day at Prithvi Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi, marking 20 years of contributions in weather forecasting, earth system science, oceanography, seismology, and polar research.
• The 20th Foundation Day celebrations were presided over by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) established 13 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) to strengthen specialised meteorological research and enhance India's weather forecasting capabilities.
• The IMD upgraded the Thiruvananthapuram Cyclone Warning Centre into an Area Cyclone Warning Centre (ACWC) to improve cyclone monitoring, forecasting, and early warning services.
• The IMD launched IMD NOVA, an advanced platform for thunderstorm nowcast monitoring and real-time severe weather forecasting.
• The IMD signed an MoU with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research–National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (ICAR-NIVEDI) to establish the Weather Driven Animal Disease Risk Forecasting Unit (WAADRU) for district-level livestock disease forecasting based on weather conditions.
• The National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) launched the WINGS mobile application (App) to provide numerical weather prediction, real-time weather analysis, and improved forecasting services.
• The NCMRWF also introduced the National Doppler Weather Radar Reflectivity Mosaic for enhanced monitoring of severe weather systems and launched an upgraded Open Data Portal to expand access to weather and ocean datasets.
• The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) released the Compendium of Monthly Seismological Bulletins (2023 & 2024) containing validated earthquake catalogues and seismic data.
• The NCS also released the Strong Motion Atlas of India (2010–2020), providing comprehensive ground-motion records to support earthquake engineering, seismic hazard assessment, and disaster preparedness.
• The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) published taxonomic manuals covering 100 Tintinnid ciliate species and 225 seamount-associated marine species, strengthening India's marine biodiversity documentation.
• The CMLRE also issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the collection, preservation, and analysis of marine biological samples, promoting standardized marine research practices.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPS & PORTALS

Ministry of Panchayati Raj Unveils Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme, SAMARTH Portal and Model OSR Rules to Empower Panchayati Raj Institutions

• Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, heading the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), launched the Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme, SAMARTH Panchayat Portal, and released the Model Own Source of Revenue (OSR) Rules at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
• The initiatives aim to strengthen the financial autonomy, digital governance, and revenue generation capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
• The Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme, launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), enables Gram Panchayats (GPs) and Block Panchayats to identify local assets and convert them into sustainable revenue-generating projects, thereby enhancing their Own Source Revenue (OSR) and promoting financial self-reliance.
• The SAMARTH Panchayat Portal is India’s first unified digital platform developed by the MoPR for end-to-end management of Panchayat Own Source Revenue (OSR), improving transparency, efficiency, and digital governance.
• The Model Own Source of Revenue (OSR) Rules provide an advisory framework for States and Union Territories (UTs) to strengthen the assessment, collection, and management of Panchayat revenues, including property tax, user charges, fees, and other non-tax revenues.

About Ministry of Panchayati Raj :

• Cabinet Minister : Lalan Singh
• Minister of State : S. P. Singh Baghel

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

India Wins Bronze in 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team Event at International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup

• India's Sonam Uttam Maskar and Himanshu Dhillon won the bronze medal in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup.
• With this achievement, India's overall medal tally at the tournament reached 4 medals, comprising 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze.
• In the qualification round, Sonam Uttam Maskar (317.2) and Himanshu Dhillon (317.4) registered a combined score of 634.6 to qualify for the medal round.
• Another Indian pair, Elavenil Valarivan (316.8) and Parth Rakesh Mane (317.4), also qualified for the final with a combined score of 634.2 and eventually finished fourth.
• In the bronze medal match, Sonam Uttam Maskar and Himanshu Dhillon scored 441.2 points (220.6 each) to secure the bronze medal, finishing behind China-1 and China-2.
• The medal marked Himanshu Dhillon's first senior ISSF World Cup medal, while Sonam Uttam Maskar added another international medal to her career after winning silver medals at the ISSF World Cup Cairo and the ISSF World Cup Final, New Delhi (2024).
• The performance also strengthened India's preparations for the upcoming Asian Games and ISSF World Championships.

About International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)

• Established: 17 July 1907
• Headquarters: Munich, Germany
• President: Luciano Rossi

Ajinkya Rahane Announces Retirement from International Cricket

• Senior Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect, bringing an end to his international career across all formats.
• In a social media post, Ajinkya Rahane stated that the time was right for him to move on from international cricket after representing India for over a decade.
• Rahane last represented India in 2023 during the Test series against the West Indies, while his final One Day International (ODI) appearance came in 2018 against England.
• During his international career, Ajinkya Rahane played:
• 85 Test matches
• 90 One Day Internationals (ODIs)
• 20 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
• Rahane was known for his dependable batting in overseas conditions and played a key role in several memorable victories for the Indian cricket team during his international career.

India Secures Historic Gold and Silver in Men’s 100m T47 Para Athletics at Commonwealth Games 2026

• India created history at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow by securing a historic one-two finish in the Men’s 100-metre T47 Para Athletics event.
• Dilip Mahadu Gavit won the gold medal, clocking a Games record and season-best time of 10.71 seconds, while Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath claimed the silver medal with a season-best time of 10.83 seconds.
• Kevin Santos (England) won the bronze medal with a timing of 10.85 seconds.
• The medals were India’s third and fourth medals after Murali Sreeshankar won silver in the Men’s Long Jump event.
• Murali Sreeshankar also became the first Indian male long jumper to win two Commonwealth Games medals.
• Dilip Mahadu Gavit’s gold became India’s third gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026, following:
• Mirabai Chanu – Gold (Women's 48 kg Weightlifting)
• Sharmila Dhankar – Gold (Women's F57 Shot Put Para Athletics)
• With these victories, India’s overall medal tally at the Commonwealth Games 2026 reached 15 medals, comprising 3 Gold, 9 Silver and 3 Bronze, moving the country to 8th position in the medal standings.
• President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Dilip Mahadu Gavit and Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath for their outstanding performances in the Men’s 100m T47 Para Athletics event.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2026 Observed on 30 July

• World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed every year on 30 July to raise awareness about human trafficking, highlight the challenges faced by victims, and promote the protection of their rights.
• The theme for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2026 is “Trapped Behind the Scam”, focusing on the exploitation of victims through fraudulent schemes and organised trafficking networks.
• In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons to encourage coordinated international efforts against human trafficking.
• The Global Plan of Action aims to integrate measures against human trafficking into broader United Nations development and security programmes and strengthen global cooperation.
• One of the key provisions of the plan was the establishment of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, with special focus on women and children.
• In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly conducted a high-level meeting to review the implementation of the Global Plan of Action and adopted Resolution A/RES/68/192.
• Through Resolution A/RES/68/192, the United Nations General Assembly designated 30 July as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons to raise awareness about the situation of trafficking victims and promote their rights.

International Friendship Day 2026 Observed on 30 July

• International Friendship Day is observed every year on 30 July across the world to highlight the importance of friendship, peace, solidarity and mutual understanding among people and communities.
• The day is celebrated by the United Nations (UN) to promote the idea that friendship between individuals, cultures and nations can contribute to building peace and strengthening global cooperation.
• In India, Friendship Day is generally celebrated on the first Sunday of August. In 2026, it will be observed on 2 August.
• The objective of International Friendship Day is to recognise the valuable role of friends in our lives and encourage people to promote kindness, respect and harmony.
• The idea of Friendship Day was first promoted by Joyce Hall, founder of Hallmark Cards, Inc., on 2 August 1930.
• Earlier, the Greeting Card National Association attempted to popularise Friendship Day in the 1920s as a way to promote greeting cards, but the initiative did not gain widespread acceptance.
• In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared 30 July as International Day of Friendship to encourage peaceful relations and global unity.

Daily CA One- Liner: July 31

• Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, announced that India's first Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) will be established in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
• President Droupadi Murmu completed four years in office
• Chhattisgarh has launched the DWEEPTI Yojana (Decentralised Women Empowerment on Energy and Policy for Transformative Inclusion), the country's first women-led distributed renewable energy policy, aimed at empowering rural women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the solar energy sector
• The Lok Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by a voice vote to strengthen the legal framework against the use of unfair means in public examinations and protect the interests of students and job aspirants
• Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia unveiled the theme “Scale without Boundaries” for the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026, which will be held from 7–10 October 2026 at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention and Expo Centre), New Delhi.
• India's Sonam Uttam Maskar and Himanshu Dhillon won the bronze medal in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup
• Senior Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect, bringing an end to his international career across all formats.
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved an USD 850 million loan to support the Government of India (GoI) in accelerating rooftop solar adoption under the Prime Minister Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG-MBY).
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed monetary penalties on six companies, including Muthoot Finance, for non-compliance with various provisions of the RBI Act and Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)
• Piramal Finance entered into a co-lending partnership with Muthoot Fincorp to expand access to affordable housing finance and Loan Against Property (LAP) solutions across India.
• Global fintech company Revolut received a full Authorised Deposit-taking Institution (ADI) licence from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), officially launching as Revolut Bank Australia.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed Satya Pal Kumar, a 2005-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of the Income Tax cadre, as the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit–India (FIU-IND) under the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF).
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MoCA), approved the proposed merger of Go Digit Infoworks Services Private Limited (Infoworks) with Go Digit General Insurance Limited (GDGIL).
• Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company (KMAMC) announced that Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund (KMMF) increased its stake in South Indian Bank to more than 5% through an open market purchase.
• Researchers from Maharashtra discovered a new polypore (bracket) fungus species named Microporellus kolhapurensis in Bhudargad taluka, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, growing on rotting wood in the Bediv area near the Ajra border.
• NVIDIA, Microsoft Corporation, IBM (International Business Machines Corporation), along with leading technology companies and research institutions, launched the Open Secure AI Alliance (OSAA) to strengthen the security, trustworthiness, and resilience of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems through open collaboration and shared security standards.
• The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) celebrated its 20th Foundation Day at Prithvi Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi, marking 20 years of contributions in weather forecasting, earth system science, oceanography, seismology, and polar research.
• Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, heading the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), launched the Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme, SAMARTH Panchayat Portal, and released the Model Own Source of Revenue (OSR) Rules at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
• India created history at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow by securing a historic one-two finish in the Men’s 100-metre T47 Para Athletics event
• World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed every year on 30 July to raise awareness about human trafficking, highlight the challenges faced by victims, and promote the protection of their rights
• International Friendship Day is observed every year on 30 July across the world to highlight the importance of friendship, peace, solidarity and mutual understanding among people and communities International Friendship Day is observed every year on 30 July across the world to highlight the importance of friendship, peace, solidarity and mutual understanding among people and communities