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Daily Current Affairs

July 20, 2026 • 10 Key Topics

Polity

Flash Floods & Landslides Kill 11–14 in Poonch-Rajouri (J&K)

Heavy overnight rains on 18–19 July triggered severe flash floods and landslides in J&K's Poonch and Rajouri districts, killing 11–14 people and washing away 200–300 vehicles.

Heavy rains on 18–19 July triggered flash floods and landslides in Poonch and Rajouri border districts of Jammu & Kashmir.
Death toll: 11–14 people killed, several still missing. Worst-hit area: Surankote tehsil in Poonch.
200–300 vehicles washed away, houses collapsed, roads badly damaged. Army, NDRF, police conducted rescue operations.
CM Omar Abdullah cut short Delhi visit; LG Manoj Sinha and Union Home Minister Amit Shah monitoring the situation. Central assistance assured.
Amarnath Yatra suspended in parts; NH-44 faced disruptions. IMD warned of continued heavy rain till 22 July.

Exam Context: GS-3 (Disaster Management). NDRF: 16 battalions under Disaster Management Act, 2005. Flash floods = sudden floods from intense rainfall in hilly terrain. J&K is a UT with legislature. NH-44 is India's longest national highway (Delhi-Srinagar-Kanyakumari).

Polity

Sonam Wangchuk's Hunger Strike & 'Chalo Sansad' March

Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk, on hunger strike since June 28 demanding Education Minister's resignation over paper leaks, was forcibly shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on Day 20.

Sonam Wangchuk has been on indefinite hunger strike since 28 June 2026 at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
Demand: Resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and accountability for repeated paper leaks (especially NEET).
On 18 July (Day 20), Delhi Police forcibly shifted him to Safdarjung Hospital citing deteriorating health.
'Chalo Sansad' march to Parliament announced for 20 July. Delhi Police imposed restrictions under Section 163 of BNSS.
Celebrities and opposition leaders expressed support. The issue has become a major political flashpoint as Monsoon Session begins.

Exam Context: GS-2 (Polity/Governance). Article 19(1)(a)&(b): Freedom of speech and right to assemble peacefully. BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) replaced CrPC in 2024. Section 163 BNSS = Section 144 CrPC (prohibitory orders). NTA conducts NEET.

Sports

Spain Wins FIFA World Cup 2026, Defeating Argentina 1–0

Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1–0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, with Ferran Torres scoring in the 106th minute to claim their second World Cup title.

Spain defeated Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
Winning goal: Ferran Torres in the 106th minute. Enzo Fernández sent off late in normal time.
Spain's second World Cup title (previous: 2010 in South Africa).
Lionel Messi visibly emotional — widely seen as his last World Cup.
FIFA World Cup 2026 hosted jointly by USA, Canada, and Mexico — first 48-team tournament.

Exam Context: Sports GK. FIFA World Cup: held every 4 years since 1930. Most titles: Brazil (5). 2026 format: 48 teams (expanded from 32). FIFA HQ: Zurich. FIFA President: Gianni Infantino. Spain's previous WC win: 2010 (Iniesta's goal).

Economy

Skyroot Aerospace Launches Vikram-1 — India's First Private Orbital Rocket

Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1 (Mission Aagaman) from Sriharikota, making India the third country to achieve private orbital launch capability.

Skyroot Aerospace launched Vikram-1, India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, on 18 July from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
Mission name: Aagaman ('Arrival'). Launch time: ~12:05 IST.
Placed technology demonstration payloads and Skyroot's own satellite into Low Earth Orbit (~450 km).
India becomes the third country (after USA, China) to achieve private orbital launch capability.
Founded by former ISRO scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka. Supported by IN-SPACe and space reforms.

Exam Context: GS-3 (Science & Tech). IN-SPACe: Indian National Space Promotion & Authorisation Centre (under DoS). NSIL: New Space India Limited (commercial arm of ISRO). Satish Dhawan Space Centre = SHAR, Sriharikota. Skyroot's sub-orbital test: Vikram-S (2022, Mission Prarambh).

Economy

India's First Hydrogen Train Begins Commercial Operations

India's first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel-cell train (built by ICF Chennai) started commercial operations on the Jind–Sonipat section in Haryana — first of 35 such trains planned.

India's first hydrogen fuel-cell train (built by Integral Coach Factory, Chennai) started commercial operations on Jind–Sonipat section, Haryana.
10-coach train capable of speeds up to 120 kmph with zero carbon emissions.
First of 35 such trains planned under a ₹2,800 crore green mobility project.
India joins Germany, Japan, and China in operating hydrogen-powered passenger trains.

Exam Context: GS-3 (Infrastructure/Clean Energy). ICF Chennai: India's oldest coach factory (est. 1955). National Green Hydrogen Mission: ₹19,744 crore. Hydrogen fuel cells: H₂ + O₂ → electricity + water. Green hydrogen = produced using renewable energy via electrolysis.

Economy

IMD Issues Heavy Rainfall & Flash Flood Alerts Across North & Northeast India

IMD issued heavy to extremely heavy rainfall warnings for North, East, and Northeast India on 20 July due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.

IMD issued heavy to extremely heavy rainfall warnings for large parts of North, East, and Northeast India on 20 July.
Flash flood and landslide alerts issued for Uttarakhand, Assam, Meghalaya and other states.
Low-pressure system over Bay of Bengal driving the rainfall surge.
Monsoon expected to revive strongly across the country.

Exam Context: GS-1 (Geography). IMD HQ: New Delhi, under Ministry of Earth Sciences. Low-pressure system → cyclonic circulation → heavy rainfall. SW Monsoon: June–September. Bay of Bengal branch and Arabian Sea branch. Cherrapunji/Mawsynram: wettest places.

International

India Issues Travel Advisory for Iran Amid US-Iran Tensions

Amid escalating US-Iran military tensions and continued US airstrikes, the Indian Embassy advised Indian citizens to leave Iran immediately or postpone travel.

Indian Embassy issued travel advisory asking citizens to leave Iran immediately or postpone travel.
Advisory issued amid escalating US-Iran military tensions and continued US airstrikes.
Rising instability and security risks cited as the primary concern.
India has significant diaspora and energy interests in Iran — Chabahar port is a key strategic asset.

Exam Context: GS-2 (IR). Chabahar Port: India-Iran-Afghanistan connectivity corridor, exempt from US sanctions. India imports ~10% crude from Iran. Strait of Hormuz: ~20% global oil trade. MEA issues travel advisories for conflict zones.

Polity

Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026

The government will introduce a bill in the Monsoon Session proposing up to 3 years' imprisonment for deliberately disrupting or insulting Vande Mataram, at par with the national anthem.

Government to introduce a bill in Monsoon Session to protect the national song Vande Mataram from insults.
Proposes up to 3 years' imprisonment for deliberately disrupting or insulting the national song.
Brings Vande Mataram at par with Jana Gana Mana (national anthem) in terms of legal protection.
Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 is the parent legislation being amended.

Exam Context: GS-2 (Polity). National anthem: Jana Gana Mana (Article 52 refers, Part IV-A). National song: Vande Mataram (adopted 1950, from Anandamath by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay). Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 covers flag, anthem, Constitution, map.

Sports

England Wins ODI Series 2–1 Against India at Lord's

England defeated India by 27 runs in the 3rd ODI at Lord's to clinch the series 2–1. Rohit Sharma scored a century but England's high total proved decisive.

England beat India by 27 runs in the 3rd ODI at Lord's, clinching the series 2–1.
Rohit Sharma scored a century but England's high total proved decisive.
This was widely expected to be Rohit Sharma's final international match (ODI farewell at Lord's).
Lord's Cricket Ground = 'Home of Cricket', established 1814, London.

Exam Context: Sports GK. Lord's Cricket Ground: owned by MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), London. Rohit Sharma: 3 ODI double centuries (world record), 285 ODIs, 33 centuries. ICC ODI rankings updated after every bilateral series.

Polity

Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Approves Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill

The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, joining Uttarakhand as states moving towards implementing UCC.

Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill.
MP joins Uttarakhand in moving towards UCC implementation. Uttarakhand enacted its UCC in 2024.
UCC aims to replace personal laws (Hindu, Muslim, Christian) with a uniform set of civil laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.
Monsoon Session of Parliament has begun under high political tension (education issues, delimitation, national honour bills).

Exam Context: GS-2 (Polity). UCC: Article 44 (DPSP) — 'The State shall endeavour to secure a UCC for citizens throughout India.' Goa is the only state with a UCC (Portuguese Civil Code, 1867). Shah Bano case (1985) and Sarla Mudgal case (1995) are landmark UCC judgments.

Prelims Quick-Revision Facts

J&K Flash Floods

Polity

Flash floods in Poonch-Rajouri killed 11–14 people, washed away 200–300 vehicles. Army & NDRF conducted rescue ops.

Sonam Wangchuk

Polity

Sonam Wangchuk on hunger strike since June 28 demanding Education Minister's resignation over NEET paper leaks. Shifted to hospital on Day 20.

FIFA World Cup 2026

Sports

Spain beat Argentina 1–0 (Ferran Torres, 106th min) to win their 2nd World Cup. First 48-team tournament.

Vikram-1 Launch

Economy

Skyroot Aerospace launched Vikram-1 (Mission Aagaman) — India's first private orbital rocket. India 3rd country after USA & China.

Hydrogen Train

Economy

India's first hydrogen train (ICF Chennai) started commercial ops on Jind–Sonipat route. First of 35 trains under ₹2,800 Cr project.

Iran Travel Advisory

International

Indian Embassy advised citizens to leave Iran immediately amid US-Iran military tensions.

Vande Mataram Bill

Polity

Bill to impose 3 years' jail for insulting Vande Mataram — bringing it at par with national anthem protection.

MP UCC Bill

Polity

Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved UCC Bill, joining Uttarakhand. UCC mandated under Article 44 (DPSP).

Test Yourself on Today's Affairs

Attempt 9 MCQs based on the July 20, 2026 edition.