Current Affairs One- Liner: 1st August 2026

National: 

• On July 30, 2026, the Lok Sabha passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, providing statutory protection to Vande Mataram. The Bill makes deliberate insult, disrespect or obstruction of the singing of the national song punishable under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The Rajya Sabha had passed the legislation on July 29, 2026.

• On July 30, 2026, the Zoological Survey of India completed the first comprehensive Catalogue of Lepidoptera of India after a 12-year documentation exercise. The catalogue records 13,703 species of butterflies and moths found across the country. It consolidates taxonomic information that had remained scattered for more than a century and will support biodiversity conservation, ecological research and identification of threatened species.
• On July 31, 2026, Indian Railways introduced an online facility for booking excess personal luggage for passengers holding confirmed reserved tickets. Travellers can declare, pay for and track additional luggage through the IRCTC platform instead of visiting railway parcel offices. Free luggage allowances continue to vary according to travel class, while additional charges apply when the prescribed weight limit is exceeded.
• On July 31, 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the Samudra Manthan National Offshore Exploration Scheme with an outlay of ₹84,084 crore. The five-year programme will promote seismic surveys, exploratory drilling and shared infrastructure in deepwater and ultra-deepwater regions. It aims to attract public and private investment, increase domestic oil and gas production and reduce India’s dependence on imported energy resources.
• On July 31, 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme from 2026–27 to 2030–31. A financial outlay of ₹3.15 lakh crore was sanctioned for the five-year period. Under PM-KISAN, eligible farmer families receive direct income support from the Union Government, helping them meet agricultural and household expenses.
• On July 31, 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana with an outlay of ₹5,070 crore. The scheme aims to establish around 5,000 MW of floating solar photovoltaic capacity on suitable water bodies. Floating solar projects reduce pressure on land resources, may lower water evaporation and contribute to India’s renewable-energy and energy-security objectives.
• On July 31, 2026, the Union Cabinet approved a revamped Khelo India Scheme and enhanced assistance to National Sports Federations with a combined allocation of ₹36,441 crore. The programme seeks to strengthen sports infrastructure, identify young talent, improve athlete training and provide better support for national federations. It forms part of the government’s long-term plan to improve India’s performance in international sporting events.

International:

• On July 31, 2026, India and Bhutan signed a concessional Line of Credit agreement worth ₹4,000 crore, equivalent to Nu 40 billion, during the Fifth India–Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks in Thimphu. The agreement was exchanged between the Export-Import Bank of India and Bhutan’s Ministry of Finance. It will support infrastructure and development initiatives and strengthen the long-standing economic partnership between the two countries.
• On July 31, 2026, Hamas agreed to a proposed roadmap for its phased disarmament under a Gaza peace framework overseen by the United States-led Board of Peace. The plan links the surrender of weapons with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces and transfer of administration to a technocratic Palestinian body. Implementation remains subject to verification, agreement on sequencing and formal acceptance by all parties.
• On July 30, 2026, Saudi Arabia announced plans to establish a multinational maritime-defence coalition to protect international shipping and energy routes in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Gulf of Aden. Fourteen countries, including Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Sudan and Djibouti, supported the initiative. Saudi Arabia will lead and host the coalition, which is intended to strengthen coordination against threats to commercial vessels.

Banking: 

• On July 30, 2026, the Favara–UPI cross-border payment corridor between the Maldives and India became operational. The integration connects the Maldives Instant Payment System, Favara, with India’s Unified Payments Interface. Customers of participating Maldivian banks can transfer funds in real time to UPI-enabled Indian bank accounts, supporting faster remittances, family-maintenance payments and digital financial cooperation between the two countries.

Science and Technology: 

• On July 23, 2026, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre issued guidelines governing the planned atmospheric re-entry of space objects. Operators must obtain prior IN-SPACe approval, maintain the probability of human casualty below one in 10,000 and accept liability for damage. The framework applies to Indian entities and foreign operators working through Indian companies and promotes safer private-sector space operations.
• On July 29, 2026, NSDC International and AVPL International announced a partnership to establish 350 advanced drone skill centres across India over three years. The centres will help higher-education institutions offer industry-oriented training in drone operation and applications. The collaboration aims to create a skilled workforce for sectors such as agriculture, logistics, infrastructure and surveying while promoting vocational and experiential learning.

Defence: 

• On July 31, 2026, Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth launched the indigenously developed Xtreme Weather Grade diesel in New Delhi. The specialised fuel has been designed for military and logistics vehicles operating in extremely cold and sub-zero conditions. It is expected to improve vehicle mobility, safety, starting performance and operational availability in high-altitude and severe-weather deployment areas.
• On July 31, 2026, Hindustan Shipyard Limited delivered Nipun, the second indigenously built Diving Support Vessel, to the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam. The vessel is equipped to support deep-sea diving, underwater inspection, salvage operations and submarine-rescue missions. Its induction will enhance the Navy’s underwater maintenance, emergency-response and deep-sea operational capabilities while supporting greater self-reliance in naval shipbuilding.

MoUs: 

• On July 31, 2026, the Ministry of Ayush and the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology signed an MoU to expand the use of artificial intelligence in traditional medicine. The collaboration covers research, digital health, capacity building, medicinal plants, innovation and drug administration. It aims to create evidence-based AI applications and strengthen technological development across the Ayush sector.
• On July 29, 2026, NSDC International and AVPL International signed a collaboration agreement to establish 350 advanced drone skill centres in educational institutions across India. The centres will provide practical and industry-linked drone training to students and aspiring entrepreneurs. The initiative is aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 and seeks to strengthen vocational education, entrepreneurship and industry–academia cooperation.

Index & Ranking: 

• On July 30, 2026, India improved its position from 82nd to 57th in a global competitiveness and reform ranking released by the Competere Foundation. The 25-place rise was attributed to improvements in structural reforms, competition-oriented policies and the overall business environment. The ranking reflects India’s progress in creating a more productive and competitive economy, although sustained regulatory and institutional reforms remain important for further improvement.

Appointments: 

• On July 31, 2026, the Union Government appointed Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja as Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, effective August 31, 2026. He was serving as Director General Medical Services of the Indian Air Force at the time of appointment. He will succeed Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin following her retirement and will head the integrated medical services of the armed forces.

Sports:

• On July 31, 2026, India won its first two Commonwealth Games gold medals in judo at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Harsh Singh defeated Australia’s Joshua Katz in the men’s 60 kg final, becoming the first Indian male judoka to win Commonwealth gold. Asmita Dey secured the women’s 48 kg title after winning her final through the Golden Score period.
• On July 30, 2026, former Indian Test captain Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket. His international career lasted nearly a decade and a half and included important performances in overseas Test series. Rahane is especially remembered for captaining India during its historic Test-series victory in Australia in 2020–21 and for his calm leadership and dependable middle-order batting.

Important Days: 

• Shaheed Udham Singh Martyrdom Day was observed on July 31, 2026, to commemorate the Indian revolutionary who was executed on July 31, 1940. Udham Singh is remembered for assassinating former Punjab Lieutenant-Governor Michael O’Dwyer in London in 1940 to avenge the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Commemorative marches and cultural programmes were organised to honour his contribution to India’s freedom struggle.
• World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was observed on July 30, 2026, to raise awareness about human trafficking and promote the protection and rehabilitation of victims. The observance encourages governments, law-enforcement agencies and civil-society organisations to strengthen prevention, prosecution and victim-support mechanisms. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly to mobilise coordinated global action against trafficking in persons.
• World Ranger Day was observed on July 31, 2026, to honour forest rangers and other frontline personnel who protect wildlife, forests and natural resources. The day also commemorates rangers who have died or suffered injuries while performing their duties. Its broader aim is to highlight the risks faced by conservation personnel and promote stronger institutional support for protected-area management.
• World Lung Cancer Day was observed on August 1, 2026, to spread awareness about lung-cancer prevention, early detection and treatment. The observance highlights major risk factors such as tobacco use, passive smoking, air pollution and occupational exposure to harmful substances. It encourages people with persistent respiratory symptoms to seek medical advice and promotes wider access to screening and evidence-based cancer care.

Obituaries: 

• On July 31, 2026, former Chief of the Army Staff General Vishwa Nath Sharma passed away in New Delhi at the age of 96 due to natural causes. He served as the 14th Army Chief from May 1, 1988, to June 30, 1990. Commissioned into the 16th Light Cavalry in 1950, he was the first post-Independence commissioned officer to become Army Chief.

Questions: 

Q1. The Lok Sabha passed a Bill in July 2026 to criminalise deliberate insults to which national symbol?

a) National Flag

b) National Emblem

c) National Anthem

d) Vande Mataram

Answer: d) The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, provides statutory protection to Vande Mataram.

Q2. Indian Railways introduced online booking for excess personal luggage through which platform?

a) DigiLocker

b) UMANG

c) IRCTC

d) RailTel

Answer: c)  Passengers with confirmed reserved tickets can declare and pay for excess luggage through the IRCTC platform.