Weekly Current Affairs Test : 22nd to 31st July 2026

Angen (Invisible) became the first Santhali-language film to win a National Film Award, creating history in Indian cinema. At the 72nd National Film Awards, director Ravi Raj Murmu received the Best Debut Film of a Director (Non-Feature Category) award. Angen is a 12-minute 10-second Santhali short film inspired by a mystical indigenous folktale. The film showcases the tribal culture and storytelling tradition of Jharkhand on the national stage.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment implements the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) to promote the welfare, dignity, and social security of senior citizens. Key components of AVYAY are Elderline (14567), Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE), and Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY). Elderline (14567) is operational in 32 States/UTs, providing information, counselling, rescue, and grievance redressal services from 8 AM to 8 PM. Under IPSrC, the Ministry supports 734 Senior Citizen Homes through grants-in-aid. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment informed this in a written reply in Parliament.

National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) publishes annual cyber crime statistics in its “Crime in India” report; the latest edition is for 2024. Cyber crime cases in India increased from 50,035 (2020) to 1,01,928 (2024), showing a sharp upward trend. Telangana (27,230 cases) recorded the highest number of cyber crime cases in 2024, followed by Karnataka (21,993) and Uttar Pradesh (11,073). Among Union Territories, Delhi (404 cases) recorded the highest number of cyber crime cases in 2024. Under the Information Technology Act, Computer Related Offences (36,920 cases) were the most common cyber crimes in 2024.

Mission Golden Spice – Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Value Chain Enhancement Project was launched by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Meghalaya CM Conrad K. Sangma. It is a ₹175.45 crore, 5-year (2025–2030) convergence-led initiative for Lakadong turmeric cultivation and value-chain development in Meghalaya. The Mission will be implemented in two phases: Phase 1 – Value Chain Strengthening and Phase 2 – Expansion & Scale-up. It aims to promote the GI-tagged Lakadong Turmeric, known for its 7–10% curcumin content, high aroma, and nutraceutical value.

Madhya Pradesh became the fourth state to introduce and pass a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, after Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam. The Bill was introduced on 20 July 2026 and passed on 21 July 2026. It bans polygamy, mandates formal legal divorce, and provides equal property and inheritance rights to men and women. Marriage registration is compulsory up to the village level. Live-in relationships must be registered within one month. Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities are exempted from the Bill.

Recently, the Ministry of Women and Child Development highlighted the Mission Vatsalya Portal in the Rajya Sabha. Mission Vatsalya is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. It has been developed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD). It supports Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) and Children in Conflict with Law (CCL). The portal integrates TrackChild, Khoya-Paya, and GHAR (Go Home and Re-Unite). It is linked with the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Recently, INS Malvan was commissioned at Karwar on 22 July 2026. It is the second indigenously built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC). The ship is named after Malvan, the historic coastal town in Maharashtra. It was built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. It has over 80% indigenous content, supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat. It is equipped for Underwater Surveillance, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Mine Warfare, and Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO). Its motto is “Silent Claws”, and its crest features the Bagh Nakha (Tiger’s Claw).

Recently, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed Anurag Jain (IAS, 1989 batch, Madhya Pradesh cadre) as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog. The appointment was notified by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). Earlier in 2026, Ashok Kumar Lahiri was appointed as the Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, succeeding Suman K. Bery.

Several major Indian companies, including Adani, Reliance Industries, Hindalco, Vedanta Aluminium, Powercem, and Coal India, are interested in Odisha’s Karlapat Bauxite Block. Karlapat Bauxite Block is located in Kalahandi district, Odisha. It is a greenfield mining block. It contains about 45.2% alumina with low silica content. Odisha accounts for about 41% of India’s bauxite resources.

Mission Mausam was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 January 2025. The objective is to make India a “Weather-ready and Climate-smart” nation. It focuses on better weather observations, forecasting, and early warning systems. The mission promotes AI/ML-based forecasting, advanced Earth System Models, and High-Performance Computing (HPC). It also aims to establish a Decision Support System (DSS) with last-mile connectivity. Arunika and Arka supercomputing systems have enhanced the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ computing power.

India, under its BRICS Chairmanship 2026, is hosting the BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) on 24 July 2026 in New Delhi. The meeting is organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The meeting is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” BRICS DRR cooperation evolved from the Udaipur Declaration (2016) and the Kazan Declaration (2024).

DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of the ‘Kusha’ Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) on 23 July 2026. It has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The test took place from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha. The missile successfully intercepted a high-speed, high-altitude electronic target. Kusha can neutralise fighter jets, missiles, UAVs, and large enemy aircraft over a long range and altitude. The missile, radars, and command-and-control system were developed by DRDO laboratories and industry partners.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed every year on 26 July to honour the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers who fought in the 1999 Kargil War. The day marks the success of Operation Vijay, through which the Indian Armed Forces recaptured strategic peaks occupied by Pakistani intruders along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil sector of Ladakh. The Indian Air Force supported the mission through Operation Safed Sagar, while the Indian Navy enhanced operational deployment. The Kargil conflict began in May 1999 after Pakistani soldiers and intruders occupied strategic heights overlooking the Srinagar–Leh National Highway.

Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, shared key findings of NFHS-6 (2023–24). Institutional deliveries increased to 90.6%, while antenatal care and skilled birth attendance also improved. Total Fertility Rate (TFR) remained 2.0. Full immunisation improved to 87.1%, with higher coverage of measles second dose and rotavirus vaccine. Under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), 94.87 crore ABHA IDs had been created as of 20 July 2026.

External Affairs Minister participated in the 21st East Asia Summit (EAS) held in Manila, Philippines. He emphasised that global maritime channels must remain safe, secure, and unimpeded. The East Asia Summit (EAS) is the Indo-Pacific’s premier leader-led forum for strategic dialogue on political, security, and economic issues. It was established in 2005, with the first summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Recently, camera-trap evidence confirmed the return of the Dhole (Asiatic wild dog) to Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary. Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Udalguri and Baksa districts of Assam. It lies in the eastern Himalayan foothills and shares the India–Bhutan international border. The sanctuary is named after the Bornadi River, which forms its western boundary. The Nalapara River, originating in Bhutan, flows along the sanctuary’s eastern boundary.

Recently, India launched an electric boat pilot project on the Ganga River in Varanasi to promote green inland water transport. The project is a collaboration between the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) and GAIL (India) Limited. It was inaugurated on 23 July 2026 and flagged off from Namo Ghat. The pilot project includes five retrofitted electric passenger boats. Each boat is equipped with a 15-kW electric outboard motor and a 20-kWh lithium battery pack. The project is expected to reduce operating costs by up to 80% compared to diesel boats. It also helps reduce noise and air pollution, improving the river ecosystem and passenger experience.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Mirabai Chanu for winning the gold medal in the women’s 48 kg event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Mirabai Chanu won her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal (2018, 2022, 2026). The victory gave India its first gold medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Chanu set a Commonwealth record with an 85 kg snatch. She also set a new Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth record in the clean and jerk by lifting 85 kg.

The government informed Parliament that the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) Scheme is witnessing increasing usage, with Andhra Pradesh recording over 3.11 lakh student users. The scheme was launched in January 2025 to provide nationwide access to high-quality academic journals. The scheme offers access to more than 13000 journals from 32 international publishers covering science, technology, medicine, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Eligible Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and R&D institutions across India can access these journals through the scheme.

The government informed Parliament that over 1.12 lakh collateral-free education loans worth ₹15,634.78 crore have been sanctioned under the PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme since its launch. PM-Vidyalaxmi is a Central Sector Scheme launched in November 2024 to ensure that no deserving student misses higher education due to financial constraints. It provides collateral-free and guarantor-free education loans to students securing merit-based admission in Quality Higher Education Institutions (QHEIs). Students with an annual family income up to ₹8 lakh are eligible for 3% interest subvention on education loans up to ₹10 lakh.

Raja Muthupandi won the silver medal in the men’s 65 kg weightlifting event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. He lifted a total of 286 kg (126 kg snatch + 160 kg clean & jerk). Malaysia’s Aznil Bin Bidin Muhamed won the gold with a Commonwealth Games record total of 299 kg. Muthupandi made a successful comeback after a 2019 elbow ligament injury and returned following the introduction of the 65 kg category.

The Government informed Parliament about the progress of India’s cyber fraud prevention system and cyber security initiatives. CFCFRMS was launched in 2021 under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) for quick reporting of financial cyber frauds. Till 30 June 2026, the system has helped save over ₹11,158 crore through 32.8 lakh complaints. Citizens can report financial cyber frauds through the 1930 helpline and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP).

The Government informed Parliament about the progress of the GREAT Scheme under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM). The GREAT (Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles) scheme has been implemented since 2023. It aims to support start-ups and innovators in the technical textiles sector. The scheme helps convert innovative ideas into commercial products and technologies. Each approved start-up can receive financial assistance up to ₹50 lakh.

The Centre informed Parliament that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Gujarat’s Kalpasar Project is in the final stage. Kalpasar is a proposed multipurpose water infrastructure project in Gujarat. It aims to provide irrigation, drinking water, transport, and energy to the Saurashtra region. The project proposes a 64-km-long dam across the Gulf of Khambhat. It will create a 2,000 sq. km. freshwater reservoir, expected to be one of the world’s largest coastal freshwater reservoirs.

A recent study identified the Soliga tribe of the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (BRTWS) as a successful example of community-based conservation, highlighting the limitations of the fortress conservation approach. The term “Soliga” means “children of bamboo”, reflecting their close relationship with nature. They are an indigenous forest-dwelling tribe found mainly in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. They live around the Biligiri Rangana Hills and Male Mahadeshwara Hills. In 2011, the Soligas became the first tribal community living inside a tiger reserve to have their forest rights recognised by a court.

DAANVEER is a citizen participation initiative launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. It aims to strengthen the digital infrastructure of Gram Panchayats across India. It is a transparent, end-to-end digital and verifiable platform for citizen and organisational contributions. The platform enables support for the technology and infrastructure needs of Gram Panchayats. DAANVEER seeks to create a long-term citizen-powered ecosystem for strengthening local governance. It institutionalises the spirit of voluntarism through a structured and accountable mechanism.

SHetA2 is a small molecule oral therapy developed to prevent HPV infection from progressing to cervical cancer. It is designed to treat HPV-induced cervical dysplasia (precancerous lesions) and cervical cancer. The therapy has been developed through collaboration between ICMR’s National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), India, and the University of Oklahoma’s Stephenson Cancer Center, USA. SHetA2 targets the proteins mortalin, hsc70, and Grp78, which help the HPV cancer-causing protein survive. The therapy is currently being evaluated in an oral capsule form.

The Ministry of Home Affairs reported that 12,898 beneficiaries currently receive pensions under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana, comprising 1,553 freedom fighters and 11,345 eligible dependents. Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY) is a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It provides Samman Pension to eligible Freedom Fighters and their eligible dependents. Pension is granted only after fulfilling the prescribed eligibility criteria and evidentiary requirements, through the concerned State Government.

Kerala government launched the SAMPATH portal for centralized digital management of government assets. It serves as a unified digital registry for public land, buildings, roads, and machinery. The portal replaces fragmented physical records with standardized digital records. It aims to improve transparency, prevent unauthorised land transfers, and identify idle public assets. SAMPATH supports accurate asset valuation and facilitates auditing by internal audit units and the Accountant General.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane. CACP recommends the FRP after consulting states and industry stakeholders. FRP ensures a minimum price that sugar mills must pay sugarcane farmers. The government imposed nationwide sugar stockholding limits from 1 August–30 November 2026. Dealers face a 30-day holding limit, a 4,000-quintal stock ceiling, and weekly inventory reporting. The measures are implemented under the Essential Commodities Act and the Sugar (Control) Order, 2025. Average retail sugar price recently stood at ₹49 per kg.