Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (29th July, 2026)

National News

1. Delhi Government Approves Lakshmi Yojana

Key Points:

The Delhi Government approved the Lakshmi Yojana, a flagship welfare scheme aimed at improving the financial independence and social security of women across the national capital.
Under the scheme, eligible women will receive ₹2,500 per month through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system directly into their bank accounts.
The government has earmarked ₹5,110 crore in the Delhi Budget 2026–27 for implementing the scheme, making it one of the state’s largest women-centric welfare initiatives.
Online registration for eligible beneficiaries will begin on 1 August 2026, and the scheme is expected to benefit more than 17 lakh women.
Apart from financial assistance, the scheme also focuses on women’s education, healthcare, skill development, financial inclusion, and social empowerment.

2. Government Allocates Record ₹95,692 Crore for Rural Employment

Key Points:

The Union Government has allocated a record ₹95,692 crore for rural employment under the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G Act], 2025 for FY 2026–27.
It is the highest-ever Budget Estimate allocated to any rural employment programme in India’s history.
The Act guarantees 125 days of wage employment annually to every eligible rural household, replacing the earlier 100-day guarantee under MGNREGS.
The programme focuses on creating durable rural assets, including water conservation, irrigation facilities, climate resilience projects, livelihood infrastructure, and rural connectivity.
The allocation reflects the Government’s commitment to strengthening rural livelihoods while promoting sustainable development and employment generation.

3. India’s First Commercial Freight Train Reaches Nepal

Key Points:

India achieved a historic milestone by operating its first direct commercial container freight train to Nepal under the revised India–Nepal Rail Transit Protocol.
The train carried a consignment of Canola from Kolkata Port directly to Biratnagar, Nepal, without requiring transshipment at the border.
The new rail service is expected to significantly reduce logistics costs, cargo handling time, and transportation delays between the two countries.
The initiative will strengthen bilateral trade, improve supply chain efficiency, and enhance regional connectivity under India’s Neighbourhood First Policy.
Rail transportation will also provide a more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective alternative to road-based cargo movement.

4. India Becomes World’s Second-Largest Supplier of Seafarers

Key Points:

According to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, India has become the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers, overtaking several major maritime nations.
India currently contributes 311,936 seafarers, accounting for 12.16% of the global maritime workforce.
The country now ranks second only to the Philippines, ahead of China, Russia, and Indonesia.
India’s remarkable rise has been driven by improvements in maritime education, skill development, certification standards, and government initiatives promoting the shipping sector.
The achievement strengthens India’s position as a global maritime hub and supports international shipping, which carries over 80% of global merchandise trade.

5. Kalpasar Project DPR Nears Completion

Key Points:

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Gujarat’s ambitious Kalpasar Project is in the final stage of completion, bringing one of India’s largest water infrastructure projects closer to implementation.
The project proposes the construction of a 64-km-long dam across the Gulf of Khambhat to create one of the world’s largest coastal freshwater reservoirs.
The reservoir will store freshwater from the Sabarmati, Mahi, Dhadhar, and Narmada rivers, significantly improving water availability in Gujarat.
The project will provide irrigation to nearly 10 lakh hectares of agricultural land, improve drinking water supply, and reduce the distance between Bhavnagar and Surat through a road-cum-rail corridor.
It also includes the development of around 2,470 MW of renewable energy, making it a multi-purpose project focused on water security, transportation, agriculture, and clean energy.

State News

6. Assam Floods Affect Over 5.24 Lakh People

Key Points:

Floods continue to affect Assam, with more than 5.24 lakh people impacted across several districts due to heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers.
The floods have submerged villages, damaged roads, bridges, agricultural land, and disrupted transportation and communication services.
State and Central agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are carrying out rescue and relief operations.
Thousands of people have been shifted to relief camps, where food, drinking water, medical assistance, and essential supplies are being provided.
The government is continuously monitoring the situation and undertaking rehabilitation measures to restore normalcy in the affected areas.

7. Venezuela Withdraws from the International Criminal Court (ICC)

Key Points:

Venezuela has formally notified the United Nations (UN) of its decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Venezuelan government stated that the ICC has shown geographical bias, alleging that it disproportionately targets countries in Africa and Latin America.
Under Article 127 of the Rome Statute, the withdrawal will become effective one year after the notification is received by the UN.
The withdrawal will not affect ongoing investigations, including the ICC’s investigation into alleged crimes against humanity in Venezuela that began in 2021.
The move adds to the growing challenges faced by the ICC, as several countries have recently questioned the court’s impartiality and functioning.

Banking News

8. RBI Begins Winding Up of Paytm Payments Bank

Key Points:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has initiated the winding-up process of Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) following approval from the Delhi High Court.
RBI appointed Girikumar Nair, former Chief General Manager of the State Bank of India (SBI), as the Official Liquidator to oversee the liquidation process.
The action follows the earlier cancellation of Paytm Payments Bank’s banking licence due to serious regulatory violations and governance-related concerns.
RBI clarified that the bank has sufficient liquidity to repay eligible depositors and that customer interests will be protected during the liquidation process.
The winding-up will be carried out under the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and the Companies Act, 2013.

9. Public Sector Banks Earn Record ₹1.98 Lakh Crore Profit in FY 2025–26

Key Points:

Public Sector Banks (PSBs) reported a record combined net profit of ₹1.98 lakh crore during the financial year 2025–26.
The strong financial performance reflects improvements in asset quality, profitability, and operational efficiency across the banking sector.
Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPAs) of PSBs declined to multi-decadal lows, indicating healthier balance sheets.
Improved credit growth, better recovery mechanisms, and prudent lending practices contributed significantly to the record profits.
The achievement highlights the continued strengthening of India’s public banking sector and its growing contribution to economic growth.

10. Banks Collect ₹7,086.63 Crore as Minimum Balance Penalties

Key Points:

Banks in India collected ₹7,086.63 crore as penalties for non-maintenance of the Minimum Average Balance (MAB) during FY 2025–26.
Private sector banks collected ₹4,948.71 crore, accounting for nearly 70% of the total penalties, while Public Sector Banks (PSBs) collected ₹2,137.92 crore.
Among private banks, HDFC Bank collected the highest amount, followed by Axis Bank.
The Government clarified that Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts (BSBDAs) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts are completely exempt from minimum balance requirements.
RBI allows banks to levy such charges only under transparent, board-approved policies, and customers must be informed before penalties are imposed.

11. SBI to Issue Basel III-Compliant AT-1 Perpetual Bonds

Key Points:

State Bank of India (SBI) will become the first Indian bank in 2026 to issue Basel III-compliant Additional Tier-I (AT-1) Perpetual Bonds.
The bank plans to raise ₹5,000 crore through the bond issue as part of its ₹60,000 crore capital-raising programme for FY 2026–27.
The proposed bonds will include a five-year call option, allowing SBI to redeem them after five years, subject to regulatory approval.
AT-1 Perpetual Bonds help banks strengthen their Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), comply with Basel III norms, and support future lending.
The fundraising initiative aims to improve SBI’s capital base, enhance financial resilience, and support long-term business expansion.

Business News

12. Axis Finance Launches ‘Drishti’ Digital Credit Decision Platform

Key Points:

Axis Finance Limited (AFL) has launched ‘Axis Finance Drishti’, an in-house Business Rules Engine (BRE) designed to modernize and automate credit decision-making.
The platform uses advanced analytics, statistical scorecards, and multiple data sources to enable faster, accurate, and data-driven lending decisions.
It supports real-time loan approvals, improves risk assessment, and enhances customer experience through Straight-Through Processing (STP).
In the first phase, the platform has been deployed for Personal Loans, Business Loans, Loan Against Property (LAP), and Disha Home Loans.
The initiative is expected to improve operational efficiency, strengthen risk management, and accelerate digital transformation in retail and MSME lending.

Defence News

13. Rajnath Singh Announces Gender-Neutral Reforms in Indian Coast Guard

Key Points:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled two major policy reforms to promote gender equality and improve personnel welfare in the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
Women officers will now be eligible for both Short Service Appointments (SSA) and Permanent Appointments (PA) on par with male officers, while SSA has also been opened for male candidates.
Existing women officers serving under SSA will have the opportunity to convert to Permanent Appointment, subject to eligibility conditions.
The government also simplified the process for granting ex gratia compensation and terminal benefits to families of Coast Guard personnel who go missing during operations at sea.
The reforms aim to strengthen inclusiveness, improve career opportunities, and enhance the operational efficiency of the Indian Coast Guard as it approaches its Golden Jubilee in 2027.

14. SSB Reserves 50% Constable (GD) Posts for Ex-Agniveers

Key Points:

The Government of India notified the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Recruitment Rules, 2026, reserving 50% of Constable (General Duty) vacancies for former Agniveers.
Ex-Agniveers will receive exemptions from the Written Examination, Physical Standard Test (PST), and Physical Efficiency Test (PET), recognizing their military training.
The first batch of Agniveers will receive five years of upper age relaxation, while subsequent batches will receive three years.
The new recruitment rules came into force immediately after publication in the Official Gazette and will apply to all future Constable (GD) recruitments.
The initiative supports the Government’s objective of providing meaningful post-service career opportunities to Agniveers in Central Armed Police Forces.

Awards & Honours

15. Fields Medal 2026 Winners Announced

Key Points:

The prestigious Fields Medal 2026, regarded as the highest honour in mathematics, was awarded to Hong Wang, Yu Deng, John Pardon, and Jacob Tsimerman.
The awards were presented during the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) 2026.
Hong Wang created history by becoming one of the first Chinese nationals to receive the Fields Medal, while Yu Deng also received the honour, marking a rare achievement for China.
The Fields Medal is awarded once every four years to mathematicians below the age of 40 for outstanding research and future potential.
The award recognizes groundbreaking contributions across fields such as harmonic analysis, partial differential equations, topology, arithmetic geometry, and algebraic geometry.

Sports News

16. Gulveer Singh Creates History at Commonwealth Games 2026

Key Points:

Indian long-distance runner Gulveer Singh won the silver medal in the men’s 10,000m event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow.
He became the first Indian athlete ever to win a medal in the men’s 10,000m event at the Commonwealth Games.
Gulveer finished the race in 27:49.78, narrowly behind Australia’s Ky Robinson, who won the gold medal.
His achievement marked a historic milestone for Indian athletics and showcased India’s growing strength in long-distance running.
The silver medal significantly boosted India’s medal tally at the Commonwealth Games.

17. Harjinder Kaur Wins Silver in Weightlifting

Key Points:

Indian weightlifter Harjinder Kaur secured the silver medal in the women’s 69kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026.
She lifted a combined total of 227 kg, comprising 101 kg in Snatch and 126 kg in Clean & Jerk, both personal best performances.
This is Harjinder Kaur’s second consecutive Commonwealth Games medal, having won bronze at Birmingham 2022.
Her performance strengthened India’s dominance in weightlifting, with the country winning multiple medals in the discipline.
The silver medal further enhanced India’s overall performance at the Glasgow Games.

18. Indian Boxers Assure Multiple Medals at Commonwealth Games

Key Points:

India enjoyed another successful day in boxing as Lovlina Borgohain, Preeti Pawar, Priya Ghanghas, and Jadumani Singh advanced to the semifinals of their respective categories.
By reaching the semifinals, all four boxers have guaranteed at least bronze medals for India.
Lovlina Borgohain secured India’s first assured boxing medal in the Women’s 75kg category.
Preeti Pawar (54kg), Priya Ghanghas (60kg), and Jadumani Singh (55kg) also produced impressive victories to enter the medal round.
The quartet will now compete in the semifinals with the opportunity to upgrade their medals to silver or gold, strengthening India’s medal prospects at the Commonwealth Games.

Science & Technology News

19. Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) Completes 150 Years

Key Points:

The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026, marking one and a half centuries of excellence in scientific research.
Founded on 29 July 1876 by Dr. Mahendralal Sircar in Kolkata, IACS is India’s oldest scientific research institution dedicated to fundamental science.
The institution gained global recognition when Sir C. V. Raman discovered the Raman Effect at IACS in 1928, for which he received the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics, becoming the first Asian Nobel laureate in science.
Today, IACS functions as an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and conducts advanced research in physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, and interdisciplinary sciences.
The 150-year milestone highlights IACS’s immense contribution to India’s scientific development, innovation ecosystem, and global research excellence.

Environment & Important Days

20. International Tiger Day 2026: India Strengthens Global Leadership in Tiger Conservation

Key Points:

International Tiger Day is observed every year on 29 July to raise global awareness about tiger conservation and the protection of their natural habitats. It originated from the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit (2010).
India currently has an estimated 3,682 wild tigers, making it home to nearly 70% of the world’s wild tiger population, according to the All India Tiger Estimation 2022.
The country now has 58 Tiger Reserves spread across 18 tiger-range states, supported by Project Tiger and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
On the occasion of International Tiger Day 2026, the NTCA launched an integrated Eco-Tourism Webpage, providing official information, safari booking links, accommodation details, and responsible tourism guidelines for all Tiger Reserves.
India’s tiger conservation model is widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest wildlife recovery success stories, driven by science-based conservation, technology-enabled monitoring, habitat protection, and community participation.