Current Affairs - July 24, 2026 Current Affairs

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to score a half-century in T20 International cricket during the first T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare on July 23, 2026. At just 15 years and 118 days of age, he reached his fifty in only 19 balls, breaking the previous record held by Gibraltar's Louis Bruce. His explosive innings included four boundaries and four sixes at a strike rate of over 263. The achievement also made him the youngest player to score a fifty in international cricket, the youngest cricketer from an ICC Full Member nation to reach the milestone, and the youngest Indian to score an international fifty, surpassing records held by Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma.

Andhra Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE on July 21, 2026, through the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (EDB) to establish a UAE-backed food processing partnership. The initiative aims to develop integrated value chains for horticultural products such as mangoes, bananas, and cocoa, with a special focus on transforming the Rayalaseema region into a major horticulture hub. The UAE-based firm Floor Masters International has proposed an initial investment of ₹100 crore, while the first processing unit will be established at Gangadhara Nellore in Chittoor district. The partnership is also expected to boost exports of seafood, dairy, poultry, and pulses to Gulf countries.

Lovlina Borgohain confirmed India's first medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 after receiving a direct entry into the semifinals of the women's 75 kg boxing event in Glasgow, Scotland. Since only five boxers competed in the category, all semifinalists were guaranteed a medal under international boxing rules. A bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, Lovlina entered the Games in excellent form after winning gold medals at the National Boxing Championships, the Boxam Elite International Tournament in Spain, and the Grand Prix of Usti nad Labem in the Czech Republic. This also marks her first-ever Commonwealth Games medal after quarterfinal finishes in 2018 and 2022.

Ashiss Kumar Dash has been appointed as the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of Infosys, with his five-year term beginning on April 1, 2027, after Salil Parekh completes his tenure. A graduate of IIT Kharagpur, Dash joined Infosys in 1995 and has spent nearly three decades with the company, leading several global business portfolios and digital transformation initiatives. He also headed the Energy, Utilities, and Resources (EURS) business and worked for nearly a decade in Los Angeles. His appointment marks a historic milestone as he becomes the first internally promoted CEO in Infosys' history, reflecting the company's focus on leadership continuity and AI-driven growth.

Income Tax Day is observed every year on July 24 to commemorate the introduction of income tax in India by Sir James Wilson on July 24, 1860. In 2026, the observance marks 167 years of India's income tax system. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) officially began celebrating the day in 2010 to recognise the contributions of honest taxpayers and promote tax awareness. The occasion also highlights the transformation of India's tax administration from a paper-based system to a modern digital platform featuring online ITR filing, faceless assessments, e-verification, pre-filled tax returns, and faster refund processing, making compliance simpler, transparent, and taxpayer-friendly.

Jodhpur in Rajasthan will host the International Type 1 Diabetes Summit 2026 from July 30 to August 1, 2026. The three-day global conference will bring together leading diabetes specialists, researchers, policymakers, government officials, and patient representatives from countries including India, the USA, and Australia. Organised by Friends of Mewar, Breakthrough T1D, and the William J. Clinton Foundation, the summit will focus on improving access to affordable insulin, advancing diabetes technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pumps, promoting digital health solutions, strengthening international research collaboration, and enhancing the quality of life for people living with Type 1 diabetes.

Pakistan announced in July 2026 that it will host the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games in early 2027 as part of efforts to strengthen regional cooperation under the SAARC framework. The event aims to promote sporting ties and collaboration among South Asian nations while supporting broader regional goals such as climate resilience, energy security, cross-border connectivity, trade expansion, and poverty alleviation. The SAF Games, established in 1981, held their first edition in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 1984. SAARC, founded in 1985 and headquartered in Kathmandu, comprises eight member countries working together to foster regional development and cooperation.

Naresh Pal Gangwar was appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education following the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on July 23, 2026. A 1994-batch IAS officer from the Rajasthan cadre, he succeeded Vineet Joshi, who was transferred to the Department of Panchayati Raj. Previously serving as Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Gangwar brings extensive administrative experience. He holds a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering, an M.Tech from IIT Delhi, and an M.A. in Economics from the University of Rajasthan, making him well-equipped to lead higher education policy reforms.

Maharashtra launched Bharat Taxi as a cooperative taxi service on July 23, 2026, at Navi Mumbai International Airport. The initiative was inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol. Inspired by the vision of “Sahakar Se Samriddhi”, the service aims to provide affordable, transparent, and reliable transportation while empowering drivers as cooperative members and owners. Unlike conventional ride-hailing platforms, Bharat Taxi follows a fixed service charge model with no surge pricing or hidden fees, allowing drivers to share profits and ensuring better earnings, improved passenger experience, and stronger cooperative-based employment opportunities.

Operation Kusha refers to the indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile programme developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Its maiden flight test was successfully conducted on July 23, 2026, from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. During the test, the missile accurately tracked and intercepted a high-speed electronic aerial target, validating its radar, guidance, command, and control systems. Designed to counter aircraft, missiles, UAVs, and other fast-moving aerial threats, the fully indigenous system is expected to significantly strengthen India's multi-layered air defence network after further operational evaluations.