Current Affairs Quiz 31st July 2026 Quiz

Exp. Ministry of Panchayati Raj Launches ‘DAANVEER’ Initiative to Digitally Empower Gram Panchayats

Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched DAANVEER, a citizen participation initiative to strengthen the digital infrastructure of Gram Panchayats, in New Delhi. The initiative was launched by Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj.

DAANVEER, available through the Meri Panchayat mobile app, enables individuals and organisations to donate standardised, quality-verified computer bundles directly to eligible Gram Panchayats via integration with the DigiHaat marketplace.

The initiative aims to make every Gram Panchayat digitally equipped, connected, and future-ready, promoting better governance, faster service delivery, greater transparency, and supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat and Digital India.

Exp. Indian Navy Launches ‘Machilipatnam’, Seventh Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft

Machilipatnam, the 7th of 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian Navy, was officially launched.

The warship is equipped for Underwater Surveillance, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and Mine Warfare, enhancing coastal defence and maritime domain awareness.

With over 80% indigenous content, the project highlights India’s growing shipbuilding capabilities and strengthens the Indian Navy’s operational readiness to safeguard maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Exp. PM Modi Launched ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’ Campaign

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the ‘Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan’, a 100-week nationwide Jan Bhagidari movement to build a drug-free India.

The campaign will be led by the MY Bharat Platform and will involve MY Bharat volunteers, NSS volunteers, Youth Clubs, schools, colleges, universities, and over 125 spiritual organisations, making it one of India’s largest youth-led anti-drug movements.

Every Sunday for 100 weeks, youth-led activities such as sports competitions, walkathons, meditation sessions, cultural programmes, art competitions, and nukkad nataks will be organised nationwide, with outstanding contributors to be honoured at the 50th, 75th, and 100th week milestones.

Exp. India Becomes World’s Second-Largest Supplier of Seafarers: BIMCO-ICS Report 2026

India has become the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers, contributing 311,936 maritime professionals, according to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026.

India now accounts for 12.16% of the global seafaring workforce, ranking second after the Philippines, and ahead of China, the Russian Federation, and Indonesia.

The achievement marks a major milestone in India’s maritime sector, with its global share of seafarers rising from 5.2% in 2015 and 6% in 2021 to 12.16% in 2026.

Exp. Burj Khalifa Becomes First UAE Tourist Attraction to Accept UPI for Online Ticket Bookings

Indian travellers can now book tickets online for “At the Top, Burj Khalifa” using UPI before travelling to Dubai, making the booking process more convenient and seamless.

Burj Khalifa has become the first tourist attraction in the UAE to accept UPI for e-commerce transactions, marking a significant milestone in the global expansion of India’s digital payment system.

The facility was launched by NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of NPCI, in partnership with NEOPAY and Emaar Entertainment to enable secure cross-border digital payments.

Exp. IRDAI Approves Patanjali-DS Group Acquisition of Magma General Insurance

IRDAI has approved the acquisition of Magma General Insurance by Patanjali Ayurved and DS Group from Adar Poonawalla-owned Sanoti Properties, clearing the deal valued at ₹4,500 crore.

Under the share purchase agreement (SPA), Patanjali Ayurved will acquire a 73.56% stake, while DS Group will acquire a 24.50% stake in Magma General Insurance.

Patanjali Ayurved, established in 2006, manufactures and markets herbal and nature-based products, medicines and other FMCG products. DS Group has a diversified portfolio across mouth fresheners, food and beverages, confectionery, hospitality, agriculture, luxury retail, tobacco and other investments.

Exp. OmniCard Launches India’s First Flexi Benefits Basket on UPI

OmniCard (Eroute Technologies Pvt. Ltd.) has launched India’s first Flexi Benefits Basket on UPI, enabling employees to manage and spend multiple tax-efficient benefits through a single digital wallet.

The employee-controlled wallet allows benefit allocation across categories such as meals, fuel, telecom, books & periodicals, gadgets, and other eligible expenses.

The Flexi Benefits Basket supports UPI scan-and-pay at any UPI-enabled merchant, allowing seamless payments at office canteens, food delivery apps, fuel stations, bookstores, and other outlets.

Exp. New Delhi Hosts 2nd Bharat Green Hydrogen Summit 2026 to Boost Clean Energy Transition

The 2nd Bharat Green Hydrogen Summit 2026 was held in New Delhi, organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), with a focus on green hydrogen, hydrogen-based mobility, and energy export competitiveness.

Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis of water using renewable electricity and serves as a low-carbon fuel for sectors such as refining, fertiliser production, steelmaking, long-duration energy storage, and heavy transport.

Theme: Positioning India as a Global Hydrogen Hub

Exp. Ladakh Scouts Win 6th Lieutenant Governor’s Cup Horse Polo Tournament 2026

The 6th Lieutenant Governor’s Cup Horse Polo Tournament concluded at the Goshan International Polo Stadium in Drass, Ladakh, with 18 teams, including three women’s teams, participating in the event.

The Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre of the Indian Army won the tournament, defeating the Animal Husbandry Department team 2–0 in the final to claim the championship title.

Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta announced enhanced prize money, increasing the winner’s prize to ₹1 lakh for 2026 and ₹2 lakh from next year, while reaffirming efforts to promote horse polo as Ladakh’s cultural heritage, adventure tourism, and women’s participation in sports.

Exp. India Finishes ISSF World Cup 2026 with Four Medals, Esha Singh Wins Gold

India concluded its campaign at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun 2026 in Hangzhou, China, with a total of four medals—one gold, one silver, and two bronze.

Esha Singh won the gold in the Women’s 25m Pistol event, while Sainyam claimed silver in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol. Manu Bhaker secured bronze in the Women’s 25m Pistol, and the duo of Sonam Maskar and Himanshu Dhillon won bronze in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event.

Exp. RCB Becomes First IPL Franchise to Cross US$300 Million Brand Value

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has become the first Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise to achieve a brand value of over US$300 million, reaching US$312 million with a 16% year-on-year increase.

According to a report by US-based investment bank Houlihan Lokey, the IPL’s overall business value has grown to US$20.6 billion, with RCB retaining its position as the league’s most valuable franchise.

Exp. 30 July – World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed on 30 July to raise global awareness about human trafficking and promote the protection of victims’ rights.

2026 Theme: Trapped Behind the Scam

The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013 following the adoption of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons.

Exp. LIC Hands Over ₹12,207.25 Crore Dividend Cheque to Central Government

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) handed over a dividend cheque of ₹12,207.25 crore to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, representing the Central Government’s share of the final dividend for FY2025-26.

At its 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM), LIC shareholders approved a final dividend of ₹10 per equity share (face value ₹10 each) for the financial year ended 31 March 2026, with over 99.99% votes in favour.

Exp. 31 July – World Ranger Day

World Ranger Day is observed every year on 31 July to honour the dedication and bravery of forest rangers and to remember those who have lost their lives or been injured while protecting wildlife and natural ecosystems.

The day was established by the International Ranger Federation (IRF) in 2007 and is observed globally with support from conservation organisations.