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Daily DigestArchive
Current Affairs — Friday, 31 July 2026
34 items
Tamil Nadu
- CM Vijay signs 3 key welfare schemes
— Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay signed three major welfare schemes on Day 1 of assuming office, signalling early governance priorities of the TVK-led government. (Polity/State Governance) - Free Breakfast Scheme extended to Middle School students
— The Tamil Nadu government announced extension of the free breakfast scheme (originally launched under the previous DMK government) to middle school students, expanding its coverage beyond primary classes. (Social Welfare Scheme) - KMUT beneficiaries above 60 to be moved to pension scheme; aid hiked to ₹1,500
— The state government announced transition of eligible Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam beneficiaries aged 60+ to the pension scheme, with financial assistance raised to ₹1,500. (Women Welfare/State Scheme) - Centre reiterates stand on Mekedatu dam project
— CM C. Joseph Vijay had written to PM Modi objecting to the Union Minister's reply in Rajya Sabha supporting Karnataka's Mekedatu dam project, which Tamil Nadu opposes as it would affect Cauvery water flow. (Interstate Water Dispute/Cauvery) - Kuruvai cultivation in Cauvery delta down by over 1 lakh acres
— As of July 27, Kuruvai paddy coverage stood at 3.87 lakh acres against 5.05 lakh acres on the corresponding date last year, due to acute water shortage. (Agriculture/Cauvery Delta) - Tamil Nadu in process of identifying site for AI City
— IT Minister announced the state is identifying land to build an AI City comprising AI research centres, centres of excellence, and global capability centres. (Technology Policy/Investment)
India — National
- Parliament passes paper leak Bill amid Opposition walkout
— The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha; Union Minister Jitendra Singh said it aims to free medical education from management quota malpractice; Opposition leader Kharge demanded SC-monitored probe. (Parliament/Education Policy) - House clears Bill criminalising insult to Vande Mataram
— Amid Opposition protests, Parliament passed legislation making disrespect to the national song a criminal offence. (Parliament/Fundamental Duties — Article 51A) - ISRO's NavIC system can no longer provide navigation data independently
— Government informed Parliament that NavIC, India's indigenous navigation system, currently cannot function independently for navigation due to satellite health issues. (Space/ISRO — Exam Alert) - India's medical regulator seeks inquiry into Bihar MBBS exam leak
— The National Medical Commission sought an inquiry after reports emerged of an alleged paper leak in Bihar's MBBS entrance examination. (Medical Education/Regulatory Bodies) - Jaishankar calls attacks on Indian seafarers in Black Sea 'absolutely unacceptable'
— EAM S. Jaishankar conveyed India's strong objection to Ukraine's FM Sybiha over attacks on commercial vessels and Indian seafarers amid the Russia-Ukraine maritime conflict in the Black Sea. (Foreign Policy/Maritime Security) - PM Modi reviews seafarer safety, supply chain constraints in extended CCS meet
— The Cabinet Committee on Security held an extended meeting chaired by PM Modi to review the safety of Indian seafarers and supply chain disruptions caused by ongoing global conflicts. (National Security/CCS) - Government confirms Sheikh Hasina not permitted to conduct political activities from India
— The government informed Parliament that Bangladesh's former PM Sheikh Hasina, currently in India, has not been authorised to engage in any political activity on Indian soil. (Foreign Policy/India-Bangladesh)
Economy & Finance
- Industrial growth hits 23-month high of 7.3% in June 2026
— Index of Industrial Production (IIP) rose 7.3% in June 2026, the highest in 23 months, driven by strong manufacturing, electricity, capital goods, and consumer goods sectors. (Economy/IIP — Key Statistic) - India's R&D spending crosses 0.8% of GDP for first time since 2010
— Official data show private industry's share in national R&D rose to 51.8% in 2023-24, the first time the private sector outpaced government in R&D investment. (Science Policy/GDP Indicators) - FinMin launches Protection & Indemnity Insurance under Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool
— Financial Services Secretary Sanjay Lohia handed over the first P&I insurance policy document to Shipping Corporation of India Ltd, boosting India's maritime insurance ecosystem. (Finance/Shipping/Insurance) - Inflation crosses 4% in June 2026 after 16 months
— Rising fuel prices and weak monsoon rains pushed retail inflation above the RBI's 4% target after 16 months, raising concerns over monetary policy trajectory. (Economy/Inflation/RBI) - Goldman Sachs hikes India's GDP growth forecast
— The global investment bank revised upward its GDP growth projection for India, reflecting improving industrial and consumption data. (Economy/GDP)
Science & Technology
- ISRO & Japanese scientists review Chandrayaan-5 mission preparation
— Scientists from ISRO and Japan's space agency held a joint review meeting on the preparation status of the India-Japan collaborative Chandrayaan-5 lunar mission. (ISRO/Space Cooperation) - Bengaluru start-up sends world's first lab-grown diamond jewel to space aboard Skyroot's Vikram-1
— A lotus-shaped jewel crafted in gold and set with 16.9 carats of lab-grown diamonds was launched to space, marking a first for the lab-grown diamond industry. (Space/Start-up/Skyroot) - Centre weighs curbs on AI autonomy and consent rules for deepfakes under new law
— The government is considering regulatory provisions for AI systems and mandatory consent mechanisms for deepfake content as part of upcoming digital legislation. (Tech Policy/AI Regulation) - IMD clarifies distinction between heavy rainfall and cloudbursts
— The India Meteorological Department rejected reports of cloudbursts in Assam and Nagaland, clarifying the scientific threshold that distinguishes a cloudburst from heavy rainfall. (Disaster Management/IMD)
Environment
- Budget 2026-27 cuts air quality management outlay by 10%
— Allocations for air quality management and pollution control have been reduced in the Union Budget 2026-27, drawing criticism from environmental groups amid persisting poor AQI in major cities. (Environment Policy/Budget) - Union Environment Minister inaugurates 18 Namo Oxygen Parks in Delhi
— The parks were launched as part of major green initiatives on World Environment Day 2026 jointly by the Union and Delhi governments. (Green Initiative/Urban Environment)
Sports
- Commonwealth Games: Seema wins discus throw bronze
— 27-year-old Seema, a PhD aspirant and mother, won the bronze medal in discus throw at the Commonwealth Games 2026, having previously won gold at the 2025 National Games. (CWG/Athletics) - Commonwealth Games: Lovepreet wins silver, Liti wins gold in weightlifting
— India's Lovepreet Singh claimed silver while Liti won gold in their respective weightlifting categories; Samoa's pre-event favourite Sanele Mao was eliminated after failing all snatch attempts. (CWG/Weightlifting) - UEFA vows to boycott FIFA World Cup over private investor proposal
— UEFA called an emergency meeting and issued a unanimous statement rejecting FIFA President Infantino's plan to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup to private investors. (International Sports Governance)
Appointments & Awards
- Justice M. Fathima Beevi, first woman judge of Supreme Court of India, passes away
— Justice Fathima Beevi, who made history as the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court of India, passed away; she was posthumously associated with the Padma Bhushan announcement. (Judiciary/Historic Firsts — Exam Alert) - Justice M. Fathima Beevi conferred Padma Bhushan
— The first female judge of the Supreme Court of India was conferred the Padma Bhushan in recognition of her landmark contribution to Indian judiciary. (Padma Awards/Judiciary) - Retired SC Justice K.T. Thomas awarded Padma Vibhushan
— Justice K.T. Thomas, known for his notable judgments including in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, was conferred the Padma Vibhushan. (Padma Awards/Judiciary) - Justice Manikumar appointed as new SHRC Chairman
— Justice Manikumar was appointed as the Chairman of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC). (Appointments/Human Rights)
International
- Trump announces deal for 'complete disarmament' of Hamas
— US President Donald Trump announced a deal for the complete disarmament of Hamas; a Hamas negotiating team member confirmed concessions were made to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations. (West Asia/US Foreign Policy) - US-Iran tensions escalate after Iran attacks US bases in Jordan
— Iran attacked US military bases in Jordan on July 30; President Trump vowed strong retaliation, marking a fresh escalation in West Asia involving Iran's proxies. (Geopolitics/West Asia) - China landslide death toll rises to 51, 10 still missing
— Over 1,080 rescue personnel were deployed in the massive search-and-recovery operation following the deadly landslide in China. (Disaster/International)
- Quick Revision:
- 🔹 IIP growth in June 2026 = 7.3% — a 23-month high, driven by manufacturing, electricity, and capital goods sectors
- 🔹 Justice M. Fathima Beevi — first woman judge of the Supreme Court of India, passed away; conferred Padma Bhushan (also note: Justice K.T. Thomas received Padma Vibhushan)
- 🔹 ISRO's NavIC — government confirmed it can no longer independently provide navigation data; Chandrayaan-5 is a joint India-Japan mission currently under review