NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
DoT & C-DOT to Establish End-to-End Optical Network Test Bed
- Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) have signed a five-year agreement to establish an End-to-End Optical Network Test Bed at the C-DOT campus, New Delhi. Funded by DoT, it will support the development, testing and commercialisation of indigenous optical communication technologies.
- Key Features: The test bed will serve as a shared national platform for innovation, validation, skill development and commercialisation, benefiting students, researchers, startups and industry through hands-on training in next-generation optical networking.
- Implementation: The project will be executed in two phases—Set-up Phase (Years 1–2) to establish optical core, access, quantum security and testing infrastructure, followed by Operations & Maintenance Phase (Years 3–5) for technical support, maintenance and educational outreach.
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Nandan Nilekani to Head High-Powered Task Force on Examination Reforms
- Government of India has constituted a High-Powered Task Force (HPTF) chaired by Nandan Nilekani to recommend comprehensive reforms in the conduct, security, design and governance of public examinations, including those conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
- Objective: The Task Force aims to develop a robust, secure, transparent, equitable and future-ready public examination system.
- Key Focus Areas: The HPTF will recommend measures to strengthen institutional systems and processes, enhance the use of appropriate technologies, improve examination infrastructure, promote accessibility and inclusion, and ensure student well-being, with the goal of building a reliable and transparent examination ecosystem.
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BANKING | ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Index of Industrial Production (IIP): July 2026
- National Statistical Office (NSO) released the Quick Estimates of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for July 2026, showing 6.7% year-on-year growth, lower than the revised 8.8% recorded in June 2026.
- Sectoral Performance: Manufacturing grew 7.3%, Electricity & Gas 8.7%, and Water & Sewerage 7.4%, while Mining contracted by 0.9%.
- About IIP: Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is a key macroeconomic indicator that measures short-term changes in industrial output, providing an early assessment of economic activity before GDP data. It is compiled and released monthly by the NSO under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and is generally published on the 28th of every month (or the next working day if the 28th is a holiday).
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GOVERNMENT SCHEMES CURRENT AFFAIRS
PARIVARTAN Scheme
- PARIVARTAN (Programme for Accelerated Renewal and Incentivization of Vehicle Assets for Reducing Transport Air Pollution and Network Emissions) was launched in July 2026 to replace over 2 lakh BS-IV and older commercial trucks and buses in Delhi-NCR with BS-VI-compliant or electric vehicles (EVs), reducing transport emissions.
- Key Features: Implemented by MoRTH and funded by the NCR Planning Board (MoHUA) with an outlay of ₹9,585 crore (₹5,041 crore Central support). It covers Delhi and NCR districts of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
- Benefits include: 5% interest subsidy for 5 years, 100% road tax and registration fee waiver, minimum 8% OEM discount, fuel vouchers for BS-VI vehicles, and EV incentives up to ₹2.56 lakh. As of August 2026, 1,300+ beneficiaries, 42 banks/NBFCs, and 15 OEMs had joined the scheme.
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Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma & MedTech (PRIP) Scheme
- Department of Pharmaceuticals has invited the second round of applications under the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma & MedTech (PRIP) Scheme, covering early-stage and later-stage projects to strengthen India’s pharmaceutical and medical technology innovation ecosystem.
- About PRIP Scheme: Launched in 2023 by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the scheme aims to promote R&D in Pharma and MedTech by supporting startups, MSMEs and large companies, enabling them to advance up the innovation value chain.
- With a financial outlay of ₹5,000 crore, it is expected to catalyse nearly ₹11,000 crore in R&D investment and support around 300 projects focused on new medicines, complex generics, biosimilars and novel medical devices.
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INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
China Tests Stealth-Coated Variant of YJ-18A Anti-Ship Cruise Missile
- China has tested a new stealth-coated variant of the YJ-18A (Yingji/Eagle Strike) anti-ship cruise missile, featuring a black radar-absorbing coating to enhance survivability and penetration against enemy defences.
- About YJ-18A: The YJ-18 is a Chinese cruise missile family for anti-ship and land-attack missions, reportedly derived from Russia’s 3M-54E Klub missile and inducted around 2014.
- Key Features: The black stealth coating reduces radar-wave reflection and improves visual concealment over deep waters, making the missile harder to detect. The base YJ-18 has a range of 540 km, cruises at subsonic speed (966 km/h), and accelerates to Mach 3 during the terminal attack phase, enhancing its effectiveness against naval targets.
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DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
ICG Decommissions Two Sarojini Naidu-Class Fast Patrol Vessels
- Indian Coast Guard (ICG) decommissioned ICGS Meera Behn and ICGS Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, two Sarojini Naidu-class Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), in August 2026 after over two decades of distinguished maritime service.
- Key Highlights: ICGS Meera Behn (Pennant No. 234), built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and commissioned on 25 July 2006, was decommissioned at Okha, Gujarat after safeguarding India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and conducting coastal surveillance. ICGS Subhadra Kumari Chauhan (Pennant No. 233), commissioned on 28 April 2006, was decommissioned at Mumbai after over 20 years of coastal security operations.
- About Sarojini Naidu-Class FPVs: Built by Goa Shipyard Limited between 2002–2006, the class comprises seven mid-shore patrol vessels named after eminent Indian women.
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SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Gujarat Launches India’s First Sports Genomics Programme
- Gujarat has launched India’s first state-level Sports Genomics Programme to scientifically assess the genetic, physiological and performance traits of athletes, enhancing talent identification and high-performance training.
- Sports Genomics Programme: The initiative is being implemented by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) under the Department of Science and Technology. It aims to transform athlete development through evidence-based sports science, enabling better identification, nurturing and performance optimisation of sporting talent.
- What is Sports Genomics? It is an emerging field that examines the relationship between genetic variations and athletic attributes such as muscle composition, endurance, metabolism, exercise response, recovery and injury susceptibility, helping design personalised training and performance strategies.
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STATES CURRENT AFFAIRS
UP Launches Startup Mission Portal & Startup Policy 2026
- Uttar Pradesh has launched the Startup Mission Portal and Startup Policy 2026 to strengthen the state’s startup ecosystem by expanding access to funding, incubation, innovation and business support.
- Key Features: Uttar Pradesh now has 24,000+ startups, up from around 120 before 2017, including eight unicorns. The government distributed over ₹3.42 crore in incentives to 107 startups and ₹1.79 crore to nine incubators, while recognising new incubators. Around 50% of startups are women-led.
- UP Startup Mission has been established as an autonomous nodal body headed by Chief Secretary, replacing UP Electronics Corporation Ltd.
- The policy also supports IIT Kanpur, IIT-BHU, IIITs and other institutions through a dedicated university fund to promote research and innovation.
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AWARDS & EVENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
PM Modi Receives Uzbekistan’s ‘Oliy Darajali Do’stlik’ Order
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Uzbekistan’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Oliy Darajali Do’stlik (Order of Friendship), by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, recognising his contribution to strengthening India–Uzbekistan bilateral relations.
- About The Order of Oliy Darajali Do’stlik: It is Uzbekistan’s highest state honour, awarded for distinguished service and exceptional contributions to friendship and cooperation.
- Key India–Uzbekistan Outcomes: Both countries agreed to elevate ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Uzbekistan announced visa-free entry for Indian citizens for stays of up to 30 days. The two nations also set a target of achieving US$5 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, with a focus on enhancing economic cooperation and connectivity.
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