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Daily Current Affairs
28 July, 2026
1. The “Corporate Mitra Scheme” — creating a certified cadre of para-professionals for affordable compliance and advisory services to MSMEs — is implemented by which institution under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs?
A. NIESBUD
B. Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA)
C. ICSI
D. National Productivity Council
E. MSME Development Institute
View Answer
Explanation: The Corporate Mitra Scheme — a 12-month skill development and employment-oriented programme under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, implemented through IICA — trains young graduates as accredited para-professionals (“Corporate Mitras”) handling GST, accounting, cost accounting, secretarial services and corporate governance for MSMEs. IICA Shillong recently held an awareness webinar for Arunachal Pradesh with Rajiv Gandhi University.
2. The I4C directed GitHub to remove repositories hosting “BitChat” — a decentralised Bluetooth mesh messaging app that works without internet. BitChat was created by whom?
A. Elon Musk
B. Jack Dorsey
C. Pavel Durov
D. Mark Zuckerberg
E. Sam Altman
View Answer
Explanation: BitChat — an open-source, decentralised, peer-to-peer messaging app working without internet, cellular networks or central servers — was created by Jack Dorsey (Twitter/X co-founder, Block CEO), launched July 2025. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) — an MHA body set up in 2018 that runs the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and helpline 1930 — ordered GitHub to remove three BitChat repositories.
3. The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) — which recently formed an Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species following NGT directions — is headquartered at which city?
A. New Delhi
B. Dehradun
C. Chennai
D. Bengaluru
E. Bhopal
View Answer
Explanation: The NBA — an autonomous statutory body under MoEFCC implementing the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 — was established on 1 October 2003, headquartered at Chennai. Three-tier structure: NBA (national), 28 State Biodiversity Boards, and ~2.76 lakh Biodiversity Management Committees preparing People’s Biodiversity Registers. It advises states on Biodiversity Heritage Sites (Section 37) and approves foreign access to Indian biological resources under Sections 3, 4 and 6 — Indian citizens only give prior intimation to SBBs under Section 7.
4. PM Modi announced a six-member high-powered task force on examination reforms (after the NEET-UG paper leak controversy). Who chairs it?
A. S. Somanath
B. Nandan Nilekani
C. V. Kamakoti
D. Anita Karwal
E. K. Kasturirangan
View Answer
Explanation: The task force (announced 26 July 2026) is chaired by Nandan Nilekani (Infosys co-founder, founding UIDAI Chairman). Members: S. Somanath (former ISRO Chairman), Tapan Deka (former IB Director), V. Kamakoti (Director, IIT Madras), Anita Karwal (former Education Secretary), and Amrit Lal Meena (senior IAS, former Coal Secretary & Bihar Chief Secretary). It was formed a day after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.
5. The government approved the RBI’s proposal to issue polymer banknotes for field trials in which two denominations (1 billion pieces each)?
A. â‚ą5 and â‚ą10
B. â‚ą10 and â‚ą20
C. â‚ą20 and â‚ą50
D. â‚ą50 and â‚ą100
E. â‚ą100 and â‚ą200
View Answer
Explanation: The government approved 1 billion pieces each of â‚ą10 and â‚ą20 polymer notes for field trials (MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Lok Sabha, 27 July 2026), with regular issuance to follow. The proposal went under Section 25 of the RBI Act, 1934 — under which the design, form and material of banknotes are approved by the Central Government on the RBI Central Board’s recommendation. Polymer notes (BOPP substrate) last 2.5-4x longer than “paper” notes (which are actually cotton pulp and plant fibres), resist dirt/moisture better, and have stronger security features like transparent windows. â‚ą10/â‚ą20 are ideal test denominations as they have the shortest circulation life.
6. As per the USDA “Dairy: World Markets and Trade” report, India’s COW milk production is forecast to rise to 105.4 million tonnes in 2026 — making India the second-largest cow’s milk producer after:
A. United States
B. European Union
C. China
D. New Zealand
E. Brazil
View Answer
Explanation: The USDA figure (105.4 mt in 2026, up from 103.2 mt) is cow’s milk only — India is second after the EU in cow’s milk, but the world’s LARGEST producer of TOTAL milk (247.87 million tonnes in 2024-25 per Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2025, +3.58% YoY, ~69% higher than 2014-15). Buffalo milk is India’s distinguishing feature (higher fat, hence butter dominance). Cows in milk expected to reach 62.5 million head — highest among tracked countries.
7. India’s per capita milk availability has increased to what level (vs global average ~322 g/day)?
A. 405 g/day
B. 444 g/day
C. 485 g/day
D. 512 g/day
E. 530 g/day
View Answer
Explanation: India’s per capita milk availability is 485 g/day, well above the global average (~322 g/day). UP, Rajasthan, MP, Gujarat and Maharashtra together account for 54.09% of production; India produces nearly one-fourth of the world’s milk; dairy contributes ~5% of the national economy and supports 8+ crore farmers. Global outlook: US butter exports +40% in 2026, EU +10%, New Zealand record 22.5 mt. Notably, the USDA does NOT project significant growth in India’s dairy exports — India remains a domestic consumption-driven market.
8. The 2nd BRICS Science Academies Forum 2026 was held at IIT Hyderabad under which theme?
A. Science for Global Peace
B. Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development and Strengthening Global South Cooperation
C. Innovation for Inclusive Growth
D. Digital Futures for BRICS
E. Technology and Traditional Knowledge
View Answer
Explanation: The 2nd BRICS Science Academies Forum (IIT Hyderabad, 22-23 July 2026) ran under this AI-and-Global-South theme. India also hosted the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction, the BRICS Ministers of Interior Meeting, the BRICS Network University Governing Board Meeting, and a Conference on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems; BRICS CCI Women Empowerment released the WISE Whitepaper.
9. President Droupadi Murmu became the FIRST Indian President to visit which country during her 19-25 July 2026 three-nation tour?
A. Moldova
B. Romania
C. North Macedonia
D. Albania
E. Serbia
View Answer
Explanation: President Murmu visited Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania (19-25 July 2026). She became the first Indian President to visit North Macedonia (inaugurating a Mahatma Gandhi bust in Skopje). In Moldova, India unveiled the 3Ts Roadmap (Trade, Technology and Talent); in Romania, three MoUs were signed and 2028 was declared the India-Romania Year of Innovation.
10. VIYONA Fintech received approval to operate as a Customer Operating Unit under which platform (formerly known as BBPS)?
A. UPI Global
B. Bharat Connect
C. RuPay Connect
D. e-RUPI
E. Bharat BillDesk
View Answer
Explanation: Hyderabad-based VIYONA Fintech got approval as a Customer Operating Unit under Bharat Connect (formerly BBPS) — enabling interoperable bill payments for electricity, water, gas, broadband, insurance, EMIs and education fees. It already holds NPCI certifications including UPI Switch, IMPS, BOU and eKYC Setu.
11. NSE launched India’s first domestic benchmark-based Natural Gas Futures (symbol NATGASIND). The cash-settled contract is linked to which hub price?
A. Henry Hub (US)
B. IGX Gujarat (Dahej) hub
C. Mumbai LNG terminal
D. TTF (Netherlands)
E. Kochi LNG hub
View Answer
Explanation: NSE’s Natural Gas Futures (from 27 July 2026) — India’s first domestic benchmark-based contract — is cash-settled, linked to the Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) Gujarat (Dahej) hub price, trading unit 250 mmBtu, symbol NATGASIND. It helps market participants manage gas price volatility with a domestic pricing benchmark. Separately, EIL signed an MoU with CSIR-IMMT for critical and strategic minerals R&D (mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, scale-up).
12. Vizhinjam International Seaport — approved by CBIC for direct EXIM cargo operations from 18 August 2026 — is being developed under PPP by the Kerala Government and which company?
A. JSW Infrastructure
B. Adani Ports
C. DP World
D. PSA International
E. Shapoorji Pallonji
View Answer
Explanation: Vizhinjam (Kerala) received CBIC approval for direct Export-Import operations from 18 August 2026, being designated a Customs Port under the Customs Act, 1962. Developed under PPP by the Kerala Government and Adani Ports, it is expected to reduce dependence on foreign transshipment hubs and improve India’s trade efficiency.
13. Who was given additional charge as Union Education Minister after Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy?
A. Jyotiraditya Scindia
B. Pralhad Joshi
C. Ashwini Vaishnaw
D. Piyush Goyal
E. Kiren Rijiju
View Answer
Explanation: Pralhad Joshi got additional charge as Education Minister after President Murmu accepted Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation under Article 75(2). Naresh Pal Gangwar became Secretary of Higher Education, and T.K. Anil Kumar took charge of School Education & Literacy.
14. SpaceX’s Starship completed its 13th integrated test flight from Starbase, Texas, deploying how many Starlink Version 3 satellites?
A. 10
B. 15
C. 20
D. 25
E. 30
View Answer
Explanation: Starship’s 13th test flight deployed 20 Starlink Version 3 satellites, followed by successful re-entry and controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean — testing spacecraft systems, satellite deployment and heat shield performance. NASA monitored the flight for Artemis lunar mission preparations and future Mars exploration.
15. India observed the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas on 26 July 2026, commemorating victory in the 1999 Kargil War. The IAF’s air campaign during the war was code-named:
A. Operation Vijay
B. Operation Safed Sagar
C. Operation Meghdoot
D. Operation Trishul
E. Operation Parakram
View Answer
Explanation: The Army’s operation was Operation Vijay; the IAF’s air campaign was Operation Safed Sagar. The 1999 conflict began after Pakistani intrusions across the Line of Control in May 1999; Indian forces recaptured the occupied positions. Kargil Vijay Diwas honours the courage and sacrifice of the Armed Forces.
16. The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem (26 July) was proclaimed by which organisation in 2015?
A. UNEP
B. UNESCO
C. IUCN
D. FAO
E. Ramsar Secretariat
View Answer
Explanation: The day was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2015 (first observed 2016), promoting awareness of the ecological, climatic and socio-economic importance of mangroves. It also commemorates environmental activist Hayhow Daniel Nanoto, who died during a mangrove restoration protest in 1998.
17. Himachal Pradesh launched the “Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana” providing what lump-sum assistance to reservoir fishermen during the annual fishing ban?
A. â‚ą2,000
B. â‚ą2,500
C. â‚ą3,500
D. â‚ą5,000
E. â‚ą6,000
View Answer
Explanation: Eligible fishermen get a ₹3,500 lump sum during the annual fishing ban — benefiting ~3,700 fishing families across five major reservoirs, with an estimated annual expenditure of ₹1.20 crore, monitored by the Directorate of Fisheries.
18. Odisha signed MoUs to establish the state’s first AI Data Centre at the Odisha Sovereign AI Park with HCLTech and which Indian AI startup?
A. Krutrim
B. Sarvam AI
C. CoRover
D. Fractal Analytics
E. Mad Street Den
View Answer
Explanation: The Odisha-HCLTech-Sarvam AI MoUs will set up the state’s first AI Data Centre at the Odisha Sovereign AI Park — overall investment â‚ą14,257 crore, with HCLTech investing ~â‚ą730 crore — integrating high-performance computing with indigenous AI models. Another MoU establishes a Global Development Centre in Bhubaneswar, expected to create ~5,000 jobs by 2028.
