Current Affairs - July 29, 2026 Current Affairs

Gulveer Singh and Harjinder Kaur won silver medals for India at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. Gulveer Singh created history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the men's 10,000-metre event after clocking 27:49.78 to finish second behind Australia's Ky Robinson. Harjinder Kaur secured the silver medal in the women's 69kg weightlifting event with a combined lift of 227 kg. It was her second consecutive Commonwealth Games medal after winning bronze in Birmingham 2022. Their achievements helped India increase its overall medal tally to 12, reflecting the country's strong performance across multiple sporting disciplines.

International Tiger Day is observed every year on July 29 to raise global awareness about tiger conservation and the protection of their natural habitats. Established following the 2010 Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, the observance encourages governments, conservation organisations, and local communities to work together against poaching, habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade, and climate change. The 2026 theme, "Securing the Future of Tigers with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities at the Heart," highlights the crucial role of local communities in conservation. India, which is home to over 70% of the world's wild tigers, continues to lead global tiger conservation through initiatives such as Project Tiger and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Girikumar Nair, former Chief General Manager of the State Bank of India (SBI), was appointed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as the Official Liquidator for Paytm Payments Bank Limited. His responsibilities include supervising the winding-up process, ensuring compliance with the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and the Companies Act, 2013, managing the settlement of liabilities, and protecting the interests of depositors and stakeholders. The RBI initiated the liquidation after the Delhi High Court approved the process following the cancellation of the bank's licence due to serious regulatory violations. The RBI also assured that the bank has sufficient liquidity to repay eligible depositors.

According to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, India has become the world's second-largest supplier of seafarers, contributing 311,936 maritime professionals, which account for 12.16% of the global seafaring workforce. India is ranked behind the Philippines and ahead of China, the Russian Federation, and Indonesia. This achievement reflects the country's remarkable progress in maritime education, skill development, and workforce training. India's share has grown significantly from 5.2% in 2015 to 12.16% in 2026, strengthening its position in the global maritime industry and supporting its vision of becoming a leading global maritime hub.

Keshav Chandra, a 1995-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory) cadre, assumed charge as the Secretary of the Ministry of Mines on July 27, 2026. As Secretary, he will oversee key areas such as mineral exploration, auction and operationalisation of mineral blocks, and the development and management of critical and strategic minerals. He will also be responsible for implementing policies aimed at strengthening India's mining sector. The Ministry of Mines administers the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and supervises organisations such as the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM).

Kerala launched the Digital Square and ARISE initiatives to strengthen Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics education in schools across the state. Implemented by the Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) under the General Education Department, the initiatives aim to create a scientific digital culture and establish robotics laboratories in all state syllabus high schools. Students will receive training in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), Drone Technology, and Robotics. The programme also expands Little KITEs IT clubs to additional school levels and enforces the Cyber Safety Protocol 2026, helping prepare students with future-ready digital skills.

Anahat Singh created history on July 26, 2026, by becoming the first Indian to win the Girls' Singles title at the World Squash Junior Championships held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada. The top-seeded Indian defeated Egypt's Ruqayya Salem in straight games, 11-3, 11-7, 11-9, to secure the championship without dropping a single game throughout the final. Her victory ended Egypt's 16-year dominance in the girls' singles category. Ranked No. 20 on the senior PSA Tour, Anahat's achievement is considered a major boost for Indian squash ahead of its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Nepal eased its regulations on July 26, 2026, by allowing Indian and Nepalese nationals to carry Indian currency notes of ₹200 and ₹500 denominations across the India–Nepal border. The revised rules permit individuals to carry Indian currency up to a maximum value of ₹25,000 per person, provided the ₹200 and ₹500 notes were issued on or after November 9, 2016. However, pre-November 9, 2016, ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes remain prohibited. The clarification was issued by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), Nepal's central bank, to facilitate smoother cross-border transactions while maintaining regulatory oversight.

INS Sudarshini represented India during the Lokayan 26 voyage and the SAIL 250 maritime celebrations in the United States. The sail training ship participated in major events, including the SAIL 250 celebrations and the International Naval Review 250, while visiting Norfolk, Baltimore, New York, and Boston. After completing its engagements, the vessel departed from Boston on July 25, 2026, and set sail for Ponta Delgada in the Azores, Portugal. Built by Goa Shipyard Limited and commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2012, INS Sudarshini is based at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi and serves as part of the First Training Squadron, promoting traditional seamanship and India's maritime heritage.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh on July 23, 2026, to establish India's first bank-led Quantum Finance Hub at Amaravati Quantum Valley (AQV). The initiative marks PNB as the first bank in the country to partner with a state government for a dedicated Quantum Finance Hub. The project aims to integrate Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into digital banking, strengthen cybersecurity and fraud detection, improve operational efficiency, and enhance customer experience. Established in 1894, PNB is India's first Swadeshi Bank and is headquartered in New Delhi.