Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 28 July, 2026

Context

PM Narendra Modi announced a six-member high-powered task force on 26 July 2026, chaired by Nandan Nilekani, to recommend comprehensive reforms to India’s examination system. Formed in response to nationwide protests and the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. It came a day after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister, with Pralhad Joshi succeeding him.

The Six Members

Context

The government has approved the RBI’s proposal to issue 1 billion pieces each of ₹10 and ₹20 polymer banknotes for field trials, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary told the Lok Sabha on 27 July 2026. After successful field trials, the RBI will regularly issue polymer banknotes in these two denominations.

The Approval

• The RBI, on the recommendation of its Central Board, sent the proposal to the government under Section 25 of the RBI Act, 1934.
• The proposal covered both the 1 billion-piece field trial in each denomination and regular issuance thereafter.
• The reply came as a written answer to a Lok Sabha question.

Section 25 of the RBI Act, 1934 — The Legal Basis

• It provides that the design, form and material of banknotes shall be approved by the Central Government on the recommendation of the RBI’s Central Board.
• This is why a change of substrate from paper to polymer requires government approval, not merely an RBI decision.

Why Polymer?

• Longer lifespan: the RBI cited international studies showing polymer notes last significantly longer than paper notes — typically 2.5 to 4 times.
• Lower replacement cost over time, despite higher unit printing cost.
• Better resistance to dirt, moisture and wear — relevant for low-denomination notes, which circulate hardest and soil fastest.
• Stronger security features, including transparent windows that are difficult to counterfeit.
• ₹10 and ₹20 are the correct test denominations precisely because they have the shortest life in circulation.

What Paper Notes Are Made Of?

• Indian “paper” banknotes are not wood-pulp paper — they are made from cotton pulp and plant fibres, giving greater durability and a distinctive feel.
• Polymer notes use a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) substrate.

Context

The USDA’s “Dairy: World Markets and Trade” report forecasts India’s cow’s milk production to rise to 105.4 million tonnes in 2026, from 103.2 mt in 2025. India’s dairy herd is expanding, with cows in milk expected to reach 62.5 million head — the highest among all countries tracked.

Cow Milk vs Total Milk

• The USDA’s 105.4 mt figure is cow’s milk only, which is why the report says India is “second only to the European Union”.
• India’s total milk production, including buffalo, goat and other species, was 247.87 million tonnes in 2024–25 per the Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2025.
• India is the world’s largest producer of total milk but the second-largest producer of cow’s milk after the EU.
• Buffalo milk is India’s distinguishing feature — no other major dairy nation depends on it at this scale, and it has higher fat content, which is why India dominates butter production.

Key Highlights:

• India’s Dairy Production
  • Milk production reached 247.87 million tonnes in 2024–25, up 3.58% from 2023–24 and about 69% higher than in 2014–15.
• Per Capita Availability
  • Milk availability increased to 485 g/day, well above the global average of about 322 g/day.
• Leading Milk-Producing States
  • Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra together account for 54.09% of India’s total milk production.
• Economic Importance
  • India produces nearly one-fourth of the world’s milk. The dairy sector contributes about 5% of the national economy and provides livelihoods to over 8 crore farmers.
• Global Dairy Outlook
  • US butter exports are projected to rise 40% in 2026, EU exports by 10%, while New Zealand is expected to achieve record milk production of 22.5 million tonnes.
• Key Observation
  • Despite Amul’s global expansion, the USDA report does not project significant growth in India’s dairy exports, indicating India remains primarily a domestic consumption-driven dairy market.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi constituted a six-member high-powered task force headed by Nandan Nilekani to recommend comprehensive reforms in India’s examination system. The panel was formed following nationwide protests and the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy to improve transparency, security, and credibility. Members include S. Somanath, Tapan Deka, V. Kamakoti, Anita Karwal, and Amrit Lal Meena. The task force will suggest technology-driven measures for conducting secure and trustworthy examinations.

The 2nd BRICS Science Academies Forum was held at IIT Hyderabad on 22–23 July 2026 under the theme “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development and Strengthening Global South Cooperation.” India also hosted the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction and the BRICS Ministers of Interior Meeting. BRICS CCI Women Empowerment released the WISE Whitepaper to enhance women’s participation in science and innovation. India further organized the BRICS Network University Governing Board Meeting and Conference on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems.

The Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 48th World Heritage Committee session in Busan, South Korea. It became India’s 45th World Heritage Site and Uttar Pradesh’s fourth UNESCO-recognised site. Sarnath was nominated by India in January 2025 after being on UNESCO’s Tentative List since 1998. The inscription recognises its Outstanding Universal Value as the place where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon.

President Droupadi Murmu undertook a state visit to Moldova, North Macedonia, and Romania from 19–25 July 2026 to strengthen bilateral cooperation. India unveiled the 3Ts Roadmap (Trade, Technology and Talent) during the Moldova visit. She became the first Indian President to visit North Macedonia and inaugurated a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Skopje. In Romania, three MoUs were signed and 2028 was declared the India–Romania Year of Innovation.

VIYONA Fintech received approval to operate as a Customer Operating Unit under Bharat Connect (formerly BBPS). The approval enables interoperable bill payments for electricity, water, gas, broadband, insurance, EMIs, education fees, and other services. Banks, NBFCs, fintech firms, and government organisations can integrate Bharat Connect services through its platform. The Hyderabad-based startup already holds NPCI certifications including UPI Switch, IMPS, BOU and eKYC Setu.

The National Stock Exchange launched India’s first domestic benchmark-based Natural Gas Futures contract from 27 July 2026. The cash-settled contract is linked to the Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) Gujarat (Dahej) hub price and trades under the symbol NATGASIND. It has a trading unit of 250 mmBtu and aims to help market participants manage gas price volatility. The initiative strengthens India’s commodity derivatives market with a domestic pricing benchmark.

Engineers India Limited signed an MoU with CSIR-IMMT to collaborate on research and development in critical and strategic minerals. The partnership focuses on mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, technology scale-up, and commercial deployment projects. It also includes technical knowledge exchange and capacity-building initiatives. EIL additionally signed another MoU with the Directorate General of Maritime Administration for maritime infrastructure projects.

Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala received CBIC approval to commence Export-Import cargo operations from 18 August 2026. The notification designates the port as a Customs Port under the Customs Act, 1962, enabling direct international cargo handling. The project is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership by the Kerala Government and Adani Ports. The approval is expected to reduce dependence on foreign transshipment hubs and improve India’s trade efficiency.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi was given additional charge as the Union Education Minister after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy. President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation under Article 75(2) of the Constitution. Naresh Pal Gangwar became Secretary of Higher Education while T.K. Anil Kumar assumed charge of School Education and Literacy. The leadership change aims to restore confidence in India’s education system.

SpaceX successfully completed the 13th integrated test flight of Starship from Starbase, Texas, deploying 20 Starlink Version 3 satellites. The mission included a successful re-entry and controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean. It tested spacecraft systems, satellite deployment, and heat shield performance for future missions. NASA monitored the flight as part of preparations for Artemis lunar missions and future Mars exploration.

India observed the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas on 26 July 2026 to commemorate victory in the 1999 Kargil War through Operation Vijay. The day honours the courage and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces in defending the nation’s sovereignty. The conflict began after Pakistani intrusions across the Line of Control in May 1999. The Indian Army and Air Force successfully recaptured the occupied positions through Operations Vijay and Safed Sagar.

The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem was observed on 26 July 2026 under UNESCO’s initiative. The day promotes awareness about the ecological, climatic, and socio-economic importance of mangroves. It was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2015, with the first observance held in 2016. The occasion also commemorates environmental activist Hayhow Daniel Nanoto, who died during a mangrove restoration protest in 1998.

The Himachal Pradesh Government launched the Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana to support reservoir fishermen during the annual fishing ban. Eligible fishermen will receive a lump-sum financial assistance of ₹3,500 under the scheme. Around 3,700 fishing families across five major reservoirs are expected to benefit. The scheme has an estimated annual expenditure of ₹1.20 crore and will be monitored by the Directorate of Fisheries.

The Odisha Government signed MoUs with HCLTech and Sarvam AI to establish the state’s first AI Data Centre at the Odisha Sovereign AI Park. The overall investment is ₹14,257 crore, with HCLTech investing around ₹730 crore in the AI facility. The centre will integrate high-performance computing with indigenous AI models for government and enterprise applications. Another MoU was signed to establish a Global Development Centre in Bhubaneswar, expected to generate around 5,000 jobs by 2028.