Current Affairs — Monday, 27 July 2026
34 items
Tamil Nadu
- TVK Govt to establish Investor Promotion Commission — CM Vijay announced in the Governor's address that a dedicated commission will be set up to fast-track investment approvals, signalling the new government's economic priorities. (Relevance: State governance, economic policy)
- Free Breakfast Scheme extended to Middle School students — The CM Vijay government is expanding the flagship noon-meal-adjacent scheme (originally launched under the previous DMK government) to cover middle school students, broadening its beneficiary base. (Relevance: State welfare schemes)
- CM Vijay aims for direct talks with Karnataka on Cauvery water-sharing — The Tamil Nadu government is pursuing bilateral dialogue with Karnataka to resolve the long-standing Cauvery river-water dispute outside formal tribunals. (Relevance: Inter-state river dispute, Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal)
- TASMAC bar licensing distance reduced to 100 m from liquor shops — The TVK government revised the rule to allow bars to operate within 100 m of liquor outlets, aimed at ending monopoly of a few contractors in bar tenders. (Relevance: State excise policy)
- PMK releases Shadow Economic Survey for second consecutive year — PMK's report revealed TN's own tax revenue fell short by 13% (₹1,92,493 cr collected vs ₹2,20,895 cr projected), raising fiscal accountability concerns. (Relevance: State finances, opposition scrutiny)
- Two-language policy retained by TVK government — A TN minister confirmed the new government will continue the state's long-held two-language (Tamil + English) policy, rejecting any shift toward a three-language formula. (Relevance: Language policy, Article 345-347)
India — National
- PM Modi announces Exam Reform Task Force, Nandan Nilekani to lead — The high-powered task force will recommend technology-driven, leak-proof examination systems; former ISRO Chairman Somanath and IIT-Madras Director V. Kamakoti are among members; Pralhad Joshi has assumed charge as Union Education Minister. (Relevance: Education policy, UPSC/SSC aspirants, GS Paper 2)
- Pralhad Joshi takes charge as Union Education Minister — Following the cabinet reshuffle, Joshi replaces the previous incumbent; the Nilekani task force on exam reforms is his immediate priority. (Relevance: Cabinet portfolios)
- Angamaly–Sabarimala rail line: Kerala begins land acquisition, Railways allocates ₹505 crore — The long-pending rail connectivity project to the Sabarimala pilgrimage site has received fresh funding and land acquisition has commenced in Kerala. (Relevance: Railway infrastructure, pilgrim connectivity)
- Another ship with 4 Indians targeted at Ukraine port; MEA issues advisory — The Ministry of External Affairs issued a travel/work advisory after Indian nationals were among those affected by the ongoing Ukraine port conflict, underscoring India's citizen protection obligations. (Relevance: MEA, Indian diaspora safety)
- Amid protests and clashes, PoK legislative assembly heads to polls — Elections in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir took place amid security clampdowns and protest-related clashes, with implications for India-Pakistan relations. (Relevance: India's neighbourhood, Article 370, PoK)
- Sonam Wangchuk discharged from hospital, to visit Rajghat before returning to Ladakh — The Ladakh activist, known for his Himalayan environmental and autonomy campaigns, concludes his Delhi stay with homage to Mahatma Gandhi. (Relevance: Ladakh UT governance, statehood demand)
- Bihar bandh: 3 injured as protesters clash with police over certificate issuance — Violent clashes erupted during a Bihar bandh, highlighting ongoing tensions over administrative processes in the state. (Relevance: Internal security, law and order)
Economy & Finance
- RBI sees rupee as undervalued; FCNR(B) inflows cross $32 billion — RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated inflation control remains the top priority; robust FCNR(B) deposits and FPI flows into government securities have strengthened India's external balance. (Relevance: RBI monetary policy, external sector)
- U.S. imposes 10% 'forced labour' tariffs on India; 45% of Indian exports exempted — The Commerce Ministry clarified that 45% of Indian exports to the U.S. will be exempt from the new 10% levy, while the remaining 55% will attract it — still lower than tariffs on most other investigated countries. (Relevance: India-US trade, WTO, export sector)
- Goldman Sachs hikes India's GDP growth forecast — The investment bank revised India's growth projection upward, citing strong domestic consumption and government capex; aligns with FM Sitharaman's assertion that middle-class consumption is powering growth. (Relevance: GDP, economic indicators)
- Inflation crossed 4% in June after 16 months, driven by fuel price hikes and weak rains — Retail inflation breached the RBI's 4% target after over a year, raising concerns about future rate cuts. (Relevance: CPI, RBI MPC, monetary policy)
- India-UK CETA: key issues on investment, patents, and carbon taxes deferred — While the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement eases market access, critical issues like investment protection, TRIPS-plus patent norms, and UK's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism remain unresolved. (Relevance: International trade agreements, GS Paper 3)
Science & Technology
- PM Modi's Exam Reform Task Force includes ex-ISRO Chief Somanath and IIT-M Director Kamakoti — The panel, led by Nandan Nilekani (co-founder of Infosys, former UIDAI chairman), will focus on making public examinations technology-driven and leak-proof. (Relevance: Education-tech policy, key personalities)
- U.S.-Russian ISS crew lands safely in Kazakhstan after 8-month mission — NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev landed via Soyuz MS-28 in a designated zone southeast of Dzhezkazgan. (Relevance: Space cooperation, ISS)
- SpaceX launches Starship on new test flight carrying most advanced Starlink satellites — The test marks another milestone in SpaceX's heavy-lift rocket programme and commercial satellite deployment. (Relevance: Space technology, commercial spaceflight)
- NASA's PRAXIS mission to directly sample planetary ring particles — The bio-inspired AI-driven robotic explorer is designed to graze planetary ring systems — a first in space exploration history. (Relevance: NASA missions, space science)
Environment
- India's green transition lacks long-duration energy storage solutions — Analysts note that for discharge durations beyond six hours, short-duration battery storage becomes economically unviable, posing a structural gap in India's renewable energy transition plans. (Relevance: Climate policy, renewable energy, GS Paper 3)
- District Collector chairs workshop on wetland conservation in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu — The workshop underscores growing administrative focus on wetland protection under the Ramsar Convention framework. (Relevance: Wetlands, biodiversity conservation)
- Monsoon revival: 'intense' rainfall likely over 10+ states — IMD issued warnings for intense rain across more than ten states as the southwest monsoon revived, raising flood preparedness concerns in vulnerable regions. (Relevance: IMD, disaster management)
Sports
- Commonwealth Games: Mirabai Chanu wins hat-trick of gold in women's 48 kg weightlifting — The Manipuri star claimed her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold; compatriot Rishikanta bagged silver in men's 60 kg category. (Relevance: CWG 2026, Indian athletes, Manipur)
- Commonwealth Games: Judoka Jadumani wins high-intensity India-Pakistan bout — Jadumani's victory in the judo event added to India's medal tally; Preeti is one win away from a medal. (Relevance: CWG, combat sports)
- Cricket's summer of farewells: multiple stars and coaches exit international cricket — The season has seen simultaneous retirements of prominent players and the end of coaching stints by Brendon McCullum and Stephen Fleming. (Relevance: Cricket, GK)
Appointments & Awards
- Veteran IPS officer K. Vijay Kumar to receive Padma Shri from President Murmu — The former Special Advisor on Left-Wing Extremism and key figure in anti-naxal operations is among this year's Padma awardees. (Relevance: Padma Awards, IPS, internal security)
- Justice K.T. Thomas to receive Padma Vibhushan — The former Supreme Court judge, known for his landmark judgments, is among the highest civilian honour recipients. (Relevance: Padma Vibhushan, Judiciary)
- Nandan Nilekani appointed to chair PM's Exam Reform Task Force — Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys and former UIDAI Chairman (architect of Aadhaar), will lead the high-powered panel on exam integrity reforms. (Relevance: Key appointment, education policy)
International
- Iran halts retaliatory strikes; Oman mediating talks on Strait of Hormuz management — Iran reported progress in Oman-brokered negotiations over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping chokepoint, even as mines it laid continue to hit ships. (Relevance: West Asia conflict, global energy security, India's oil imports)
- U.S. imposes new 10%–12.5% tariffs on 60 trade partners including India, China, EU — The sweeping tariffs effective July 24 are part of Trump's trade agenda rebuild; India faces the 10% 'forced labour' levy on 55% of exports. (Relevance: Global trade, India-US relations, WTO)
- PoK legislative assembly elections held amid protests and clashes — The polls in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir carry strategic significance for India's position on the region's disputed status. (Relevance: India's foreign policy, PoK, Article 370)
- Quick Revision:
- 🔑 Nandan Nilekani (Infosys co-founder, ex-UIDAI Chairman) appointed to chair PM Modi's Exam Reform Task Force; former ISRO Chief Somanath and IIT-M Director V. Kamakoti are members.
- 🔑 Mirabai Chanu (Manipur) won her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold in women's 48 kg weightlifting at CWG 2026.
- 🔑 RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated the rupee is undervalued; FCNR(B) inflows have crossed $32 billion, strengthening India's external position.