🗞️ Daily Current Affairs • Updated July 31, 2026
Daily Current Affairs Digest — July 31, 2026: Top Exam-Relevant News for SSC, Banking, UPSC & State Exams
🕒 6-minute read | 🎯 Exam-focused | 📌 SSC • Banking • UPSC • State PSC
What are today's most important current affairs for competitive exams (July 31, 2026)? The key exam-relevant developments are: Parliament passing the Anti-Paper Leak (Public Examination Amendment) Bill 2026, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Vande Mataram) Bill, progress on India–Japan's Chandrayaan-5/LUPEX lunar mission, the RBI's new bulk deposit transparency rule, a Supreme Court ruling banning retrospective environmental clearances, India's medal wins at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, and the Assam floods relief package along with a Centre–Himachal BBMB dues settlement. Each of these carries direct weightage for SSC CGL, IBPS PO, SBI PO, UPSC Prelims/Mains, and State PSC exams. Below, every topic is broken into one-liner facts, highlighted exam points, and a 10-question interactive MCQ quiz so you can revise and self-test in one sitting.
📑 Quick Jump — Table of Contents
- Anti-Paper Leak Bill 2026
- Vande Mataram Insult Prevention Bill
- Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) Mission Update
- RBI's Bulk Deposit Transparency Rule
- SC on Retrospective Environmental Clearance
- Commonwealth Games 2026 Medal Update
- Assam Floods & BBMB Dues Settlement
- Quick Revision Table
- One-Liner Rapid Fire Facts
- Interactive MCQ Quiz (10 Qs)
🏛️ 1. Parliament Passes the Anti-Paper Leak Bill — A Must-Know for Every Aspirant
In a session marked by Opposition walkouts, the Rajya Sabha passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by voice vote, a day after it cleared the Lok Sabha. This directly affects every competitive exam candidate in the country.
📌 Highlighted Exam Points
- Purpose: Strengthens the 2024 Act to curb paper leaks, cheating, and impersonation in public examinations.
- Key provision: Introduces stiffer penalties for organised crime linked to exam leaks; the PM assured that genuine candidates "will be spared."
- Why it matters: This law protects the integrity of exams like SSC, Banking, and Railways — the very exams you're preparing for.
- Static link: The original Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act was passed in 2024, following incidents like the NEET-UG 2024 controversy.
💡 Quiz Trigger: "The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill was passed in which year?" — Expect this in SSC GK sections soon. Practice similar questions on our Weekly Current Affairs Quiz.
📜 2. Vande Mataram Gets Legal Protection — Prevention of Insults to National Honour Bill
The Lok Sabha passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, criminalising insult to Vande Mataram, aligning it with existing protections for the National Anthem and National Flag.
📌 Key Facts for Prelims/Mains
- Brings Vande Mataram under the same legal umbrella as the National Anthem and National Flag under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
- 2026 marks 150 years since Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (1875) — a strong anniversary-based GK point.
- Government line: called it a "Bill of national pride"; Opposition (DMK) called it reflective of a "communal outlook."
This is a classic Polity + Modern History crossover topic — a favourite for UPSC Prelims and State PCS GS papers.
🚀 3. ISRO–Japan Joint Mission: Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) Preparations Underway
Scientists from ISRO and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) reviewed progress on the Chandrayaan-5/LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration Mission), scheduled for 2028, aimed at studying water ice at the Moon's south pole using a Japanese-built rover and Indian lander.
📌 Static + Current GK Combo
| Mission | Agency Collaboration | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) | ISRO + JAXA | Lunar south pole water-ice |
| Gaganyaan-1 | ISRO (solo) | First uncrewed orbital test flight |
| Vikram-1 (Skyroot) | Private (Skyroot Aerospace) | First privately developed orbital rocket in India |
🌕 Exam Tip: Space missions are evergreen for SSC CGL Tier-1 GK and UPSC Prelims. Bookmark ISRO's mission timeline — examiners love mixing "which mission was first" type questions.
If you're aiming for tech-adjacent government or private-sector roles, this is also a good moment to explore Best AI Courses with Certificates 2026 — space-tech and AI skilling are increasingly linked in India's innovation policy.
🏦 4. RBI's New Transparency Rule on Bulk Deposits — Banking Exam Gold
The RBI has tightened disclosure norms for banks on bulk deposit rates while allowing flexibility through LCR (Liquidity Coverage Ratio)-linked pricing.
📌 Must-Remember Points for Banking Aspirants
- Banks must now display interest rates on bulk deposits on their websites and disclose them daily.
- Reform stems from recommendations by the RBI's Internal Working Group on liquidity risk management post the 2023–24 banking stress events.
- LCR = a Basel III liquidity risk metric — expect direct definition-based questions in IBPS PO/SO and SBI PO mains.
Additionally, a related CIBIL report flagged that overleveraged borrowers have tripled, with unsecured personal loans and credit cards emerging as the fastest-growing but riskiest credit segment — a strong Banking Awareness + Financial Literacy topic.
💰 Pro tip: Banking exams frequently test terms like LCR, NPA, CRAR, and CIBIL score thresholds. If you're targeting a banking career, compare SSC CGL vs IBPS PO vs SBI PO Salary structures before choosing your prep path.
⚖️ 5. Supreme Court Sets 'Public Interest' Test on Retrospective Environmental Clearance
The Supreme Court struck down the Centre's 2021 Office Memorandum that allowed ex-post facto environmental clearances (EC), ruling that project proponents cannot bypass prior EC requirements and profit from non-compliance.
📌 Why This Matters for UPSC/State PCS
- Cites earlier judgments: Common Cause v. Union of India (2017) and Alembic Pharmaceuticals v. Rohit Prajapati (2020).
- Establishes that ex-post facto clearance is contrary to the fundamental principles of environmental jurisprudence.
- Balances developmental needs against ecological protection — a recurring Environment + Polity theme in UPSC GS-2 and GS-3.
This is precisely the kind of judgment-based current affairs question that appears in UPSC Prelims (Polity/Environment) and State PCS Mains answer writing.
🏅 6. Commonwealth Games 2026 (Glasgow): India's Medal Tally Update
India continues its strong showing at the CWG 2026 (July 23 – August 2) in Glasgow:
- Sreeshankar Murali won silver in long jump (8.09m), repeating his 2022 CWG medal.
- Neeraj Chopra and teammates qualified for the javelin final despite cold, windy conditions (best throw: 79.61m).
- A Para-athlete gold in the men's 100m T47 category was also secured.
🏆 Static GK Reminder: Commonwealth Games are held every 4 years; the 2026 edition is hosted by Glasgow, Scotland (a late replacement host after Victoria, Australia withdrew). This host-city detail is a classic SSC/Railway GK trap question.
🌊 7. Flood Relief: Assam & Himachal Seek Central Assistance
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma sought a Central relief and rehabilitation package after unprecedented floods in Sivasagar and other districts, while a Centre–Himachal Pradesh dispute over BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) cost-sharing arrears also made headlines.
- Himachal Pradesh need not pay ₹420 crore towards BBMB dues per the Centre's proposal, easing a long-pending Punjab–Haryana–HP dispute.
- Relevant Act: Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, and BBMB governance rules — a good static-current mix for State PCS aspirants from North India.
📝 Quick Revision Table for Your Notes
| Topic | Category | Exam Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Paper Leak Bill 2026 | Polity/Governance | SSC, Banking, UPSC |
| Vande Mataram (Prevention of Insults) Bill | Polity/History | UPSC, State PCS |
| Chandrayaan-5/LUPEX | Science & Tech | SSC, UPSC, Railways |
| RBI Bulk Deposit Norms | Banking Awareness | IBPS, SBI, RBI Grade B |
| SC on Ex-post facto EC | Environment/Polity | UPSC Mains, State PCS |
| CWG 2026 Glasgow | Sports GK | SSC, Railways |
| BBMB Dues Settlement | Federalism/Current | State PCS (North India) |
⚡ One-Liner Rapid Fire Facts (Last-Minute Revision)
Read these once before your exam — each line is a standalone fact examiners love to test directly.
- The Rajya Sabha passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by voice vote.
- The original Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act was enacted in 2024.
- The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 criminalises insult to Vande Mataram.
- The parent law is the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
- 2026 marks 150 years since Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875.
- Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) is a joint mission between ISRO and JAXA, targeted for 2028.
- LUPEX aims to study water ice at the Moon's south pole.
- Vikram-1 by Skyroot Aerospace is India's first privately developed orbital rocket.
- RBI now mandates daily disclosure of bulk deposit interest rates on bank websites.
- LCR (Liquidity Coverage Ratio) is a Basel III liquidity risk management metric.
- A CIBIL report found overleveraged borrowers have tripled, driven by unsecured personal loans and credit cards.
- The Supreme Court struck down the Centre's 2021 Office Memorandum permitting ex-post facto environmental clearance.
- Key precedent cases: Common Cause v. Union of India (2017) and Alembic Pharmaceuticals v. Rohit Prajapati (2020).
- The Commonwealth Games 2026 are being held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.
- Glasgow became host after Victoria, Australia withdrew from hosting duties.
- Commonwealth Games are held every 4 years.
- Sreeshankar Murali won silver in long jump (8.09m) at CWG 2026.
- Under the Centre's proposal, Himachal Pradesh need not pay ₹420 crore in BBMB arrears.
- BBMB stands for Bhakra Beas Management Board, governed under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
- Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma sought a Central relief and rehabilitation package for flood-hit districts including Sivasagar.
🎯 MCQ Quiz — Test Yourself (Click Each Question to Reveal Answer)
Attempt all 10 questions first, then tap/click on each one to check your answer with explanation.
Q1. The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was passed by the Rajya Sabha by which method?
A) Division vote B) Voice vote C) Secret ballot D) Postal ballot
✅ Answer: B) Voice vote. The Bill was passed by voice vote amid Opposition walkouts, a day after Lok Sabha clearance.
Q2. The original Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act was enacted in which year?
A) 2022 B) 2023 C) 2024 D) 2025
✅ Answer: C) 2024. It followed high-profile incidents like the NEET-UG 2024 controversy.
Q3. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, which now also protects Vande Mataram, was originally enacted in which year?
A) 1950 B) 1962 C) 1971 D) 1976
✅ Answer: C) 1971. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act was passed in 1971 and now covers the National Anthem, National Flag, and Vande Mataram.
Q4. Who composed Vande Mataram, and in which year?
A) Rabindranath Tagore, 1911 B) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, 1875 C) Sarojini Naidu, 1905 D) Bal Gangadhar Tilak, 1880
✅ Answer: B) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, 1875. 2026 marks 150 years since its composition.
Q5. Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) is a joint mission between ISRO and which space agency?
A) NASA B) ESA C) JAXA D) Roscosmos
✅ Answer: C) JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). LUPEX will study water ice at the Moon's south pole, targeted for 2028.
Q6. Which of the following is India's first privately developed orbital rocket?
A) Agnibaan B) Vikram-1 (Skyroot) C) RHUMI-1 D) SSLV
✅ Answer: B) Vikram-1, developed by Skyroot Aerospace, a private Indian space-tech startup.
Q7. LCR, a term used in RBI's new bulk deposit disclosure rule, stands for:
A) Loan Coverage Rate B) Liquidity Coverage Ratio C) Ledger Compliance Report D) Long-term Credit Rating
✅ Answer: B) Liquidity Coverage Ratio — a Basel III liquidity risk metric used by banks.
Q8. The Supreme Court struck down which government order that had allowed ex-post facto environmental clearances?
A) 2018 Notification B) 2020 Circular C) 2021 Office Memorandum D) 2023 Gazette Order
✅ Answer: C) 2021 Office Memorandum, citing precedents like Common Cause v. Union of India (2017).
Q9. The 2026 Commonwealth Games are being hosted in which city, after the original host withdrew?
A) Birmingham B) Glasgow C) Melbourne D) Auckland
✅ Answer: B) Glasgow, Scotland. It stepped in as a late replacement after Victoria, Australia, withdrew as host.
Q10. BBMB, involved in the Centre–Himachal Pradesh dues settlement, stands for:
A) Beas Basin Monitoring Board B) Bhakra Beas Management Board C) Border Basin Management Bureau D) Bihar Bengal Migration Board
✅ Answer: B) Bhakra Beas Management Board, governed under provisions linked to the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
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Compiled from national daily newspapers for exam aspirants. Facts have been cross-checked for accuracy as of July 31, 2026. Bookmark this page and revisit before your next mock test.
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