Daily Current Affairs Quiz
01&02 August , 2026
National Affairs
1. Samudra Manthan
Source: PIB
Context
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved ‘Samudra Manthan’ — the National Offshore Exploration Scheme on 31 July 2026, a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas with an approved outlay of ₹84,084 crore for implementation up to FY 2030-31.
The scheme translates the Prime Minister’s vision, articulated from the Red Fort on Independence Day 2025, of a “modern-day Samudra Manthan” to unlock India’s vast offshore energy potential — the mythological churning of the ocean recast as a search for hydrocarbons beneath the seabed.
What It Is
A comprehensive, mission-mode programme covering the entire offshore exploration value chain, from data acquisition to commercialisation of discoveries.
Interventions provided for
- Large-scale acquisition, processing and interpretation of high-quality seismic data.
- Accelerated deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploratory drilling.
- Scientific drilling in frontier basins.
- Development of common offshore production and evacuation infrastructure.
- Establishment of an integrated Oil & Gas Manufacturing and Services Zone.
- Dedicated provisions for digital programme management, capacity building, technology adoption, stakeholder engagement and international outreach.
Component-wise Outlay
| Component | Outlay | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Deepwater exploratory drilling | ₹43,200 crore | 60 deepwater exploration wells; Government support of up to 50% of eligible drilling cost or ₹675 crore per well, whichever is lower |
| Offshore seismic data acquisition | ₹28,534 crore | Acquisition, processing and interpretation of modern seismic data |
| Common offshore infrastructure hubs | ₹10,000 crore | Shared production and evacuation infrastructure to speed commercialisation of discoveries |
| Oil & Gas Manufacturing and Services Zone | ₹2,000 crore | Domestic manufacturing and localisation of critical equipment and services |
2. Nipun: India’s Second Indigenous Diving Support Vessel
Sources: TOI
Context
Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) formally delivered ‘Nipun’ — the second indigenous Diving Support Vessel (DSV) built for the Indian Navy — at Visakhapatnam on 30 July 2026, roughly a year after the lead ship of the class.
What It Is
A specialised, long-endurance naval vessel designed for deep-sea diving, underwater salvage, submarine rescue and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions — the second vessel of the Nistar-class DSVs.
- Built by: Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam.
- Classification: designed and constructed in accordance with the Classification Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
- Name: from Sanskrit, meaning one who is adept, capable and well-versed in a particular discipline.
- Project: a two-ship programme contracted with HSL in September 2018 at a total cost of roughly ₹2,393 crore.
Aim: to strengthen the Navy’s underwater strategic capabilities as a dedicated platform for deep-sea saturation diving, submarine rescue and salvage — reducing dependence on foreign rescue vessels.
About Hindustan Shipyard Limited
- Established in 1941 as Scindia Shipyard at Visakhapatnam; nationalised in 1952.
- Transferred from the Ministry of Shipping to the Ministry of Defence in 2010.
- Builds and repairs naval vessels and submarines; also constructed the fleet support ships and undertakes submarine refits.
3. Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026
Sources: TH
Context
Parliament has passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends legal protection to Vande Mataram by prescribing penalties for obstructing or disrupting its singing — the same protection already available to the National Anthem.
Objective and Rationale
Objective: to provide statutory protection to the National Song comparable to that already available for the National Anthem.
Government’s rationale: the Bill recalls the Constituent Assembly proceedings of 24 January 1950, when President Dr. Rajendra Prasad declared that:
- Jana Gana Mana would be the National Anthem, and
- Vande Mataram, which had played a historic part in the freedom struggle, would be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana and have equal status with it.
The Parent Act: Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
| Section | Content | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| Section 2 | Prohibits burning, mutilating, defacing, defiling, disfiguring, destroying, trampling upon, or otherwise showing disrespect to or bringing into contempt the Indian National Flag or the Constitution of India, in any public place or place within public view — whether by words or acts | Up to 3 years, fine, or both |
| Section 3 | Prohibits intentionally preventing the singing of the National Anthem or causing disturbance to any assembly engaged in such singing | Up to 3 years, fine, or both |
| Section 3A | Enhanced penalty on second and subsequent convictions under Section 2 or 3 | Minimum 1 year |
What Changes in 2026
| Feature | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of Section 3 | National Anthem only | National Anthem and National Song |
| Prohibited conduct | Intentionally preventing the singing of, or disturbing an assembly engaged in singing, the Anthem | The same conduct in relation to either the Anthem or the Song |
| First offence | Up to 3 years, fine, or both | Unchanged |
| Repeat conviction (Section 3A) | Minimum 1 year | Extended to repeat Vande Mataram offences |
About Vande Mataram
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Meaning | “Mother, I Bow to Thee” |
| Composer | Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, in Sanskritised Bengali |
| First published | In the Bengali literary journal Bangadarshan, on 7 November 1875 |
| Novel | Later included in Anandamath (1882), set against the Sanyasi Rebellion of the late eighteenth century and the Great Bengal Famine |
| Music | Set to music by Rabindranath Tagore |
| National Song status | First two stanzas adopted by the Congress Working Committee in 1937 |
| Equal honour | Affirmed by Dr. Rajendra Prasad on 24 January 1950 |
Constitutional position: the Constitution does not explicitly mention a National Song. Article 51A(a) makes it a Fundamental Duty of every citizen to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem. The National Song is absent from the text, though official protocol accords it equal respect.
Jana Gana Mana
- Composed by Rabindranath Tagore; first sung at the Calcutta session of the Congress on 27 December 1911.
- Adopted as the National Anthem on 24 January 1950 — the last day of the Constituent Assembly.
4. India’s First Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ), Gwalior
Sources: News on Air
Context
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Government of Madhya Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 30 July 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, to establish India’s first integrated Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) at Gwalior.
What It Is
An integrated 350-acre plug-and-play industrial cluster creating a specialised ecosystem for telecom and electronics manufacturing, R&D, testing, certification, innovation and intellectual property creation under one roof.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Phase-I: about 170 acres — roughly 100 acres in the SADA (Special Area Development Authority) region and 70 acres in the Gwalior IT Park |
| Governing structure | A dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) — 51% Government of Madhya Pradesh, 49% DoT |
| Central funding | About ₹493 crore (commonly reported as ₹500 crore) as 100% financial assistance for core infrastructure in Phase-I |
| State contribution | Phase-I land provided free of cost by the Madhya Pradesh Government |
| Phase-I duration | Approximately three years, with Phase-II initiated in parallel |
Aim: to reduce reliance on imported telecom hardware, accelerate indigenous R&D for 5G and 6G technologies, boost domestic manufacturing, and establish India as a global exporter of telecom equipment — encapsulated in the slogan “Design in India, Make in India, Export from India.”
5. Western Ghats and the Ecologically Sensitive Area Notification
Sources: The Indian Express
Context
The Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) notification remains unfinalised more than a decade after the first draft. Following the expiry of the previous draft in July 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) re-issued a fresh draft notification proposing about 56,825.7 sq km as ESA and extended the tenure of the expert committee headed by former Director General of Forests Sanjay Kumar until July 2027.
About the Western Ghats
- A chain running roughly 1,600 km parallel to India’s west coast, from the Tapi valley in the north to Kanyakumari in the south, across six States — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- Older than the Himalayas; total area estimated by the Kasturirangan group at about 1.64 lakh sq km.
- One of the world’s eight “hottest” biodiversity hotspots; extremely high endemism in amphibians, fish, reptiles and flowering plants.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (2012) — 39 serial sites comprising national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved forests.
- Highest peak: Anamudi (2,695 m), Kerala. Major passes: Palghat, Goa (Thal), Bhor and Shencottah gaps.
- Source of major peninsular rivers — Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Tungabhadra, Periyar — and a decisive influence on the south-west monsoon.
Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA)
- An Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) is a region notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to conserve ecologically fragile ecosystems.
- ESAs act as buffer zones around protected areas and other environmentally important regions.
- Certain activities such as mining, quarrying, thermal power plants, and highly polluting industries are prohibited or strictly regulated.
- Sustainable activities like agriculture, horticulture, eco-tourism, and traditional livelihoods are generally permitted under regulated conditions.
6. Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026
Sources: The Hindu
Context
The Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 on 31 July 2026 without debate, by voice vote amid Opposition protests against the police action on student protesters at Jantar Mantar on 20 July.
What the Bill Does
It amends Section 13 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, which governs delayed registration.
Existing position
- An order is required to register any birth or death reported more than one year after the event.
- Such an order may be issued by a District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, or an Executive Magistrate authorised by the District Magistrate, after verifying correctness and on payment of a prescribed fee.
Proposed two-tier structure
| Delay | Authority required |
|---|---|
| More than 1 year but within 2 years | Order of District Magistrate / Sub-Divisional Magistrate / authorised Executive Magistrate (substituted Section 13(3)), after verification of authenticity |
| More than 2 years | Order of a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class (new Section 13(3A)) |
- The Bill also updates legal definitions, aligning the expression “executive magistrate” with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, replacing references to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
- Effect: a judicial layer of verification is added to a process that had so far remained wholly within the administrative machinery.
Background: The Parent Act and the 2023 Amendment
- Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 makes registration of births and deaths compulsory; the certificate issued confers legal identity.
- Administered through the Registrar General of India (under the Ministry of Home Affairs), Chief Registrars in States, and District and local Registrars.
- 2023 Amendment (in force from 1 October 2023): created a national database of registered births and deaths maintained by the Registrar General; required Aadhaar numbers of parents and the informant for birth registration; and made the birth certificate a single document for admission to educational institutions, issue of driving licence, passport, voter registration, marriage registration and government appointments.
Rationale for tightening: to curb fraudulent or fabricated late registrations used to manufacture proof of identity, age or citizenship — a concern that grows once the birth certificate becomes a single foundational document.
Also on the Table That Day
The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025
- Introduced in the Lok Sabha by Home Minister Amit Shah on 20 August 2025; referred to a 31-member Joint Committee constituted on 12 November 2025.
- Seeks to amend Articles 75, 164 and 239AA, inserting provisions for automatic removal of a Minister, Chief Minister or the Prime Minister who is arrested and detained in custody for 30 consecutive days on allegation of an offence punishable with imprisonment of five years or more.
- Mechanism: a Minister is removed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister (or Governor on the CM’s advice) on the 31st day; if no such advice is tendered, the Minister ceases to hold office thereafter. A Prime Minister or Chief Minister must resign by the 31st day, failing which he ceases to hold office.
- Re-appointment on release from custody is not barred.
- Companion Bills: the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, extending the scheme to J&K and Puducherry (the 130th Amendment itself covers Delhi).
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, consider the following statements:
- It amends the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
- It provides that a birth or death reported more than two years after its occurrence may be registered only on the order of a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class.
- For a delay of more than one year but within two years, registration continues to require an order of a District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or authorised Executive Magistrate.
- The Bill received the assent of the President after being passed by both Houses in July 2026.
How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q2. With reference to the registration of births and deaths in India, consider the following statements:
- Registration of births and deaths is compulsory under the parent Act of 1969.
- The Registrar General of India functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Following the 2023 amendment, the birth certificate serves as a single document for purposes such as admission to educational institutions and issue of a passport.
- The 2026 Bill aligns the term “executive magistrate” with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Answer Key
- (c) — Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the Bill was passed only by the Lok Sabha on 31 July 2026 and still awaits consideration by the Rajya Sabha; presidential assent follows passage by both Houses.
- (d) — All four are correct. Registration is compulsory under the 1969 Act; the Registrar General of India sits under the MHA; the 2023 amendment made the birth certificate a single foundational document from 1 October 2023; and the 2026 Bill updates the definition of “executive magistrate” in line with the BNSS, 2023.
7. Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY)
Sources: News on Air
Context
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) on 31 July 2026 with an outlay of ₹5,070 crore, to promote floating solar projects co-located with battery storage across reservoirs, dams and other inland water bodies.
What It Is
A Central Sector Scheme promoting Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) generation integrated with Energy Storage Systems (ESS). It uses water surfaces — reservoirs, dams, lakes, irrigation tanks and industrial ponds — to generate clean power while avoiding land-use conflict.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) |
| Implementing Agency | Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) |
| Total outlay | ₹5,070 crore |
| Capacity target | 5,000 MW of FSPV |
| Storage target | 10,000 MWh, minimum 2-hour duration |
| Sanctioning window | FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31 |
| Coverage | All States and Union Territories |
Aim: to expand India’s floating solar capacity from the present ~700 MW to 5,700 MW, mitigate land acquisition bottlenecks, reduce evaporation losses from reservoirs, and enhance grid reliability.
Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV)
- Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) refers to solar power plants installed on floating platforms over water bodies such as reservoirs, lakes, ponds, and dams.
- It generates renewable electricity while reducing pressure on land resources.
- The water surface helps cool solar panels, improving efficiency and reducing evaporation losses.
- FSPV supports clean energy generation, optimal use of unused water surfaces, and lower land acquisition requirements.
Key Features
- Central Financial Assistance (CFA): ₹1 crore per MW, released post-commissioning. Its purpose is to bridge the roughly 25% higher capital cost of floating solar platforms compared with ground-mounted solar — floats, anchoring and marine-grade cabling add cost that a level-playing-field tariff would not otherwise cover.
- Mandatory co-located storage: minimum 2-hour ESS with every project, to supply power during evening peak demand and reduce renewable energy curtailment during periods of excess midday generation.
- Project de-risking grants: up to ₹50 lakh per project for initial technical feasibility studies — bathymetry and hydrography surveys, solar yield calculations, and aquatic ecological impact assessments.
- Aatmanirbhar manufacturing push: stimulates indigenous manufacturing across the value chain — floatation platforms, anchoring and mooring systems, PV modules and storage batteries.
8. India’s Next Growth Frontier Report
Source: PIB
Context
In July 2026, the Competere Foundation for Trade and Competition Policy — an independent policy and advocacy group — released its report “India’s Next Growth Frontier: Reducing Anti-Competitive Market Distortions (ACMDs) to Build on India’s 2010–2023 Reform Progress.” As per the report, India has emerged as one of the strongest structural reformers among the economies studied, improving its overall global ranking by 25 places — from 82nd in 2010 to 57th in 2023.
About the Report
Aim: to track India’s structural and pro-competitive reforms between 2010 and 2023, and to recommend further reforms strengthening productivity, investment and global competitiveness.
What It Is
A report assessing India’s reform performance through the Market Distortions Performance Index (MDPI) — the Foundation’s own index measuring the extent to which anti-competitive market distortions impede efficient market functioning. It evaluates how structural reforms have reduced distortions and improved India’s competitiveness in the global economy.
Aim: to assess India’s progress in reducing anti-competitive market distortions and to recommend reforms that strengthen productivity, investment and global competitiveness.
Key Findings
- Improved global ranking: India rose from 82nd (2010) to 57th (2023) on the MDPI — a gain of 25 places, making it one of the strongest structural reformers among the economies studied.
- Three-pillar assessment: the index evaluates
- Protection of property rights
- Domestic competition
- International competition
- Major reform drivers: the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), trade facilitation measures — including the Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE), the Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade (SWIFT) and Direct Port Delivery (DPD) — and broader regulatory improvements.
- Need for competition reforms: calls for an evidence-based, consumer welfare-oriented competition policy, especially for digital markets and emerging sectors.
- Global trade integration: recommends reviewing sector-specific investment restrictions and strengthening cooperation with like-minded countries to address international regulatory barriers.
Understanding Anti-Competitive Market Distortions (ACMDs)
An ACMD is any government measure, regulation or private practice that distorts competition and misallocates resources — distinct from ordinary anti-competitive conduct by firms, which competition law already addresses.
| Pillar | Typical distortions |
|---|---|
| Property rights | Weak contract enforcement, insecure land titles, poor intellectual property protection, slow insolvency resolution |
| Domestic competition | State monopolies, licensing barriers, preferential treatment of favoured firms, opaque procurement, price controls |
| International competition | Tariff and non-tariff barriers, sectoral FDI caps, restrictive standards, discriminatory localisation requirements |
Banking/Finance
1. IRDAI Reforms: Intermediary Rules Tightened, Investment Norms Eased
Sources: Business Standard
Context
The IRDAI, at its 137th Authority Meeting held on 28 July 2026 at its head office in Hyderabad, approved a package of regulatory, supervisory and developmental reforms, reported on 31 July 2026. The reforms advance implementation of the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act, 2025 (SBSR Act) and support the goal of “Insurance for All by 2047.”
Regulations approved at the meeting
- IRDAI (Actuarial, Finance and Investment Functions of Insurers) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2026
- IRDAI (Registration, Capital Structure, Transfer of Shares and Amalgamation of Insurers) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026
- IRDAI (Policyholders’ Education and Protection Fund) Regulations, 2026
- Amendments mandating tagging of authorised salespersons
- IRDAI (Manner and Procedure for Imposition of Penalties) Regulations, 2026
- Registration granted to ProTec General Insurance Ltd.
Part A — Tightening of Intermediary Rules
Scope: corporate agents, insurance brokers, insurance marketing firms (IMFs), web aggregators and Common Public Service Centre Special Purpose Vehicles (CPSC-SPVs).
1. Perpetual registration
- A certificate of registration, once issued, remains valid indefinitely, subject to payment of a non-refundable annual fee — replacing the earlier system of periodic renewal.
- Registration continues until suspended or cancelled by IRDAI, or surrendered by the intermediary.
- Annual fee: the higher of ₹10,000 or 0.04% of commission and other receipts from insurers during the preceding financial year.
2. Salesperson tagging — traceability at the point of sale
- Intermediaries must maintain records identifying the individual involved in the sale or solicitation of every policy.
- The name and functional identity of broker-qualified persons, point-of-sales persons, designated persons, authorised verifiers or other authorised salespersons must appear in proposal forms, policy documents and certificates of insurance, along with contact details of the relevant branch or office.
- For policies sold directly through an intermediary’s digital platform without any salesperson’s involvement, the principal officer’s contact details must be included.
- Effective from 1 January 2027.
- Purpose: creates a clear audit trail. If a customer later alleges mis-selling, wrong advice or non-disclosure of material terms, the responsible salesperson can be identified.
3. Enhanced disclosures
- Additional disclosure obligations for majority foreign-owned entities and those crossing specified commission-income thresholds — aligning the regime with the new 100% FDI framework.
- IRDAI may impose conditions on an intermediary’s business at registration or subsequently, in the interest of policyholders and the orderly growth of the sector.
4. Training
- For insurance marketing firms, principal officers and insurance salespersons must complete at least 25 hours of training once every three years through an examination body recognised by IRDAI.
Part B — Easing of Investment Norms
Under the amendments to the actuarial, finance and investment functions regulations:
| Provision | Limit |
|---|---|
| Investment in operational infrastructure SPVs rated AA or above | Up to 20% |
| Combined investment in private limited companies, AIFs and VCFs | Up to 3% for life insurers; 5% for general insurers |
| Overall exposure to promoter groups | Capped at 5% of investment assets |
| Repo and government securities lending transactions | 25% of available securities or ₹10,000 crore, whichever is lower |
Risk oversight: a comprehensive annual Financial Condition Report is now mandatory, covering solvency, reserve adequacy, liquidity, stress testing and Asset-Liability Management resilience.
Part C — The Enabling Statute: SBSR Act, 2025
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Passed | Lok Sabha 16 December 2025; Rajya Sabha 17 December 2025; Presidential assent 20 December 2025 |
| Commencement | 5 February 2026 — except the restriction on common directors and officers of insurers, banks and investment companies (Section 32A of the Insurance Act) |
| Acts amended | Insurance Act, 1938; Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956; IRDA Act, 1999 |
Key provisions
- FDI in Indian insurance companies raised from 74% to 100% of paid-up equity capital (Section 3AA). The cap for insurance intermediaries remains 100% under the automatic route, and for LIC 20%. A DPIIT Press Note amending the FDI Policy was issued on 9 February 2026.
- Net-owned fund requirement for foreign reinsurers reduced from ₹5,000 crore to ₹1,000 crore.
- Removed the ₹100 crore minimum paid-up share capital requirement for insurance co-operative societies.
- One-time licensing for intermediaries, and suspension of licence rather than outright cancellation.
- IRDAI empowered to disgorge wrongful gains from insurers and intermediaries; penalties rationalised with prescribed factors for imposition.
- Standard operating procedure mandating a consultative regulation-making process.
- Section 16A — constitution of the Policyholders’ Education and Protection Fund (PEPF), established and administered by IRDAI, funded by grants and donations from IRDAI, the Central and State Governments and companies, and by monies collected as penalties.
PEPF objectives: promoting insurance awareness and financial literacy, strengthening grievance redressal, enhancing policyholder services through technology, and enabling tracing and recovery of unclaimed insurance amounts.
About IRDAI
- Statutory body established under the IRDA Act, 1999; headquarters at Hyderabad (shifted from Delhi in 2001).
- Constituted on the recommendations of the Malhotra Committee (1993), chaired by former RBI Governor R.N. Malhotra, which recommended opening the sector to private participation and creating an independent regulator.
- Composition: a Chairperson, up to five whole-time members and four part-time members, appointed by the Central Government.
- Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) designated by IRDAI: LIC, GIC Re and The New India Assurance Company.
Agriculture
1. PM-KISAN Extended to 2030-31
Sources: The Hindu
Context
The Union Cabinet on 31 July 2026 approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with a total financial outlay of ₹3,15,614 crore (about ₹3.15 lakh crore). This is a five-year extension covering FY 2026-27 through FY 2030-31, announced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw after the Cabinet meeting.
About the Scheme
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launched | February 2019 (announced in the Interim Budget; effective retrospectively from 1 December 2018) |
| Type | Central Sector Scheme — 100% funded by the Union Government |
| Nodal ministry | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare |
| Benefit | ₹6,000 per year per eligible landholding farmer family |
| Mode | Three equal instalments of ₹2,000, transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts |
| Coverage | Initially confined to small and marginal farmers holding up to 2 hectares; extended to all landholding farmer families from 1 June 2019 |
Facts To Remember
1. Delhi Launches Registration Portal for Delhi Lakshmi Yojana
The Delhi Government launched the registration portal for the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, under which eligible women will receive ₹2,500 per month as financial assistance. The scheme is expected to benefit around 17 lakh women, with support aimed at improving financial security for women from economically weaker sections.
2. Ladakh Declares 23 Heritage Sites as Protected Monuments
The Union Territory of Ladakh notified 23 heritage sites as Protected Monuments under the Jammu & Kashmir Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1920. The move provides statutory protection to archaeological, historical and cultural sites across Leh, Nubra, Sham, Zanskar and Kargil, strengthening heritage conservation in the region.
3. IN-SPACe Issues Guidelines for Space Object Re-entry
IN-SPACe released new guidelines under the Indian Space Policy 2023 to regulate planned re-entry of space objects by private entities. The framework mandates prior authorisation, safety assessments, liability compliance and insurance provisions to ensure safe and accountable spacecraft re-entry operations.
4. IIT Gandhinagar and IAIRO Sign MoU for AI Research
IIT Gandhinagar and the Indian Artificial Intelligence Research Organisation (IAIRO) signed an MoU to promote AI research, education and talent development. The collaboration includes joint research projects, faculty exchange, AI infrastructure development and specialised academic programmes.
5. NSDC and AVPL to Set Up 350 Drone Skill Centres
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) partnered with AVPL International to establish 350 Advanced Skill Centres for Drone Technology over three years. The centres will provide training in drone piloting, manufacturing, AI applications, GIS, maintenance and entrepreneurship to build a future-ready workforce.
6. Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List 2026 Released
Candere and Hurun India released the second edition of the India Women Leaders List 2026, recognising 117 women achievers across 12 categories. Roshni Nadar, Priya Nair, Avani Lekhara and Sudha Murty were among the leading personalities honoured for their contributions in business, sports and social impact.
7. Saudi Arabia Launches Maritime Defence Alliance
Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries announced a Multinational Maritime Defence Alliance to safeguard shipping routes across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The alliance aims to strengthen maritime security, protect freedom of navigation and secure global trade routes.
8. Venezuela Withdraws from Rome Statute
Venezuela formally notified the United Nations of its withdrawal from the Rome Statute, initiating its exit from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The withdrawal will take effect after one year but will not affect ongoing ICC investigations or proceedings initiated before the withdrawal.
9. RBI Defers Basel III Disclosure Norms
The Reserve Bank of India postponed the implementation of the revised Basel Pillar III disclosure framework by six months to 1 April 2027. The extension was granted after stakeholder feedback, allowing banks additional time to align with the Expected Credit Loss framework.
10. ADB Approves USD 1 Billion Urban Transformation Loan
The Asian Development Bank approved a USD 1 billion loan to support India’s Urban Challenge Fund and accelerate urban transformation. The programme will strengthen municipal governance, improve infrastructure, expand municipal financing and promote digital urban management systems.
11. Indian Navy Receives Indigenous Diving Support Vessel ‘Nipun’
The Indian Navy inducted ‘Nipun’, the second indigenous Diving Support Vessel built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited. With around 75% indigenous content, the vessel enhances India’s capabilities in deep-sea diving, submarine rescue, underwater salvage and maritime emergency operations.
12. Ajinkya Rahane Retires from International Cricket
Former Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket after a distinguished 12-year career. He represented India in 195 international matches and captained the team to the historic 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory in Australia.
13. World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2026 – 30 July
The United Nations observed World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on 30 July to raise awareness about human trafficking and strengthen victim protection. The 2026 theme was “Trapped Behind the Scam”, highlighting the growing misuse of online scams for human trafficking.
14. World Ranger Day 2026 – 31 July
World Ranger Day was observed on 31 July to honour rangers who protect wildlife and natural heritage while remembering those who lost their lives in the line of duty. The 2026 theme was “Rangers: Guardians of a Changing Planet.”
15. Odisha Signs ₹3,385 Crore BharatNet Agreement
The Odisha Government signed a tripartite agreement with Digital Bharat Nidhi and BSNL to implement the amended BharatNet programme worth ₹3,384.82 crore. The project aims to provide optical fibre connectivity to around 50,000 villages across the state.
16. Tamil Nadu Signs Four MoUs for GCCs and Foreign University Campus
The Tamil Nadu Government signed four MoUs to establish Global Capability Centres, R&D facilities and the University of Western Australia’s India campus in Chennai. The projects are expected to attract significant investments and generate nearly 2,920 employment opportunities.
