Top 10 Current Affairs (27 July 2026 Focus)

1. Cabinet Clears Tougher Anti-Paper Leak Bill (Public Examinations Amendment)

The Union Cabinet (chaired by PM Narendra Modi) approved major amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

Key provisions:

• Minimum imprisonment raised from 3 years to 5 years.
• Maximum imprisonment up to 10 years.
• Fine increased to ₹10 crore (organised paper-leak rackets).
• Service providers involved can face up to ₹5 crore fine and 8-year ban from conducting public exams.
• Mandatory time-bound investigation (preferably within 3 months) and special fast-track courts.
• Covers leakage of question papers, OMR tampering, fake websites/admit cards, organised crime, etc. Offences remain cognizable and non-bailable.

Why important: Comes amid massive student protests over alleged NEET and other exam irregularities. Aims to restore faith in the examination system conducted by NTA, UPSC, SSC, Railways, Banking boards, etc. Bill expected to be introduced in Parliament shortly.

2. BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme – ₹3,030 Crore for Three Chemical Parks

Union Cabinet approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan (BHAVYA Rasayan) scheme announced in Budget 2026-27.

Details:

• Total outlay: ₹3,030 crore (₹3,000 crore for common infrastructure + ₹30 crore administrative).
• Duration: FY 2026-27 to 2030-31 (5 years).
• Three dedicated chemical parks to be developed by states through challenge route.
• Each park needs minimum 2,000 acres (8 sq km) contiguous, encumbrance-free land.
• Central grant: up to ₹1,000 crore per park (state must contribute minimum ₹500 crore).
• Plug-and-play facilities: CETP, TSDF, water supply, solvent recovery, steam network, pipelines, logistics & warehousing.

Significance: Strengthens chemical & petrochemical value chain (feeds pharma, agro, textiles, auto, electronics), reduces logistics cost, promotes Atmanirbharta, boosts exports and employment. Chemical industry is ~7% of GDP and employs millions.

3. Project Kusha – Successful Maiden Flight Test of Indigenous Long-Range SAM

DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight test of Project Kusha (Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile) on 23 July 2026 from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.

Highlights:

• Intercepted an electronic target simulating high-speed, high-altitude aerial threat.
• All elements (missile, radars, command & control) developed indigenously by DRDO labs + industry.
• Three variants planned: M1 (~150 km), M2 (~250 km), M3 (350–400 km).
• Capable of neutralising fighter jets, cruise missiles, UAVs, large aircraft.
• Part of layered air-defence architecture (complements S-400 and shorter-range systems).

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called it a major milestone that will reduce import dependence. Project cleared by CCS in 2022; estimated cost for five squadrons ~₹21,700 crore.

4. India's First Dengue Vaccine – Qdenga Approved by CDSCO

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) granted marketing authorisation to Qdenga (TAK-003), a live attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine manufactured by Takeda (Germany).

Key facts:

• First dengue vaccine approved in India.
• For individuals aged 4 to 60 years.
• Two doses of 0.5 ml each, given 3 months apart (subcutaneous).
• Protects against all four serotypes (DENV-1,2,3,4).
• No pre-vaccination dengue antibody test required.
• Already approved in 42+ countries + WHO prequalification.
• Efficacy data from global Phase-III trials (including Indian population).

Expected to be available in private market first (2027 onwards). Complements vector control measures under National Dengue Control Programme.

5. Commonwealth Games 2026 – Glasgow (Ongoing)

23rd Commonwealth Games are being held in Glasgow, Scotland (23 July – 2 August 2026).

India opened its medal account early with strong performances in boxing (Lovlina Borgohain advanced), weightlifting and other disciplines. Flag bearers and baton events featured prominently. Games feature 10 sports and athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations.

6. Revised Series of Index of Core Industries (ICI) – New Base Year 2022-23

Office of the Economic Adviser (DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry) released the revised series of Index of Core Industries with base year 2022-23 (replacing 2011-12).

Core industries (coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement, electricity) form ~40% of IIP. New series better reflects current production structure and weightages.

7. UMEED Portal – Over 6.17 Lakh Waqf Properties Validated

Ministry of Minority Affairs informed Lok Sabha that 6,17,102 Waqf properties have been validated and approved on the UMEED Central Portal-2025 (as of mid-July 2026). Total properties under process exceed 7.99 lakh.

UMEED aims at transparent digitisation, geo-tagging and efficient management of Waqf assets across India.

8. Assam Floods 2026 – Extreme Rainfall & River-Basin Governance Issues

Severe flooding in Upper Assam intensified due to intense local rainfall and reported cloudbursts in upstream Nagaland. Multiple districts affected, embankments breached, large population displaced.

Highlights gaps in inter-state river-basin management, early warning systems and climate resilience in Brahmaputra valley.

9. INS Malvan Commissioned – Second Mahe-class ASW Shallow Water Craft

Indian Navy commissioned INS Malvan, the second vessel of the indigenously designed Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) series (launched/commissioned around 22 July 2026 at Karwar).

Strengthens coastal and shallow-water anti-submarine capabilities under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

10. 16th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting – Chandigarh

India hosted the 16th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting in Chandigarh under its 2026 BRICS Chairship. Member countries adopted a Health Ministerial Declaration focusing on strengthening health systems, pandemic preparedness, innovation, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and cooperation.

Quick Revision Tips for Exams

• Remember exact numbers (₹3,030 crore, 10 years/₹10 crore, 4–60 years, base year 2022-23, 6.17 lakh properties).
• Link schemes/projects to ministries and broader goals (Atmanirbharta, Viksit Bharat 2047, exam integrity).
• For defence & science items, note test location (APJ Abdul Kalam Island) and indigenous nature.

These topics have high probability of appearing in RRB, SSC, Banking and other competitive exams in the coming months. Revise the numbers and full forms thoroughly.