31 July 2026 Current Affairs (With PDF)

We bring you the most relevant and important news updates from around the world and India, specially curated for competitive exams and different entrance exams. Today's Current Affairs cover all significant national and international headlines, legal updates, economic news, and environmental highlights to boost your preparation. With our crisp, to-the-point coverage, you can confidently tackle current affairs questions in your exam.

Why Accountability Matters in a Democracy?

Why in News?

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid nationwide protests over the NEET-UG paper-leak controversy, bringing the principle of political accountability into focus.

What is Democratic Accountability?

1. Accountability requires

• Public authorities to Explain and justify their decisions, Accept responsibility for actions or failures, Remain answerable to appropriate institutions and citizens, Face corrective or legal consequences for misconduct.

2. In NCT of Delhi v. Union of India (2023), the Supreme Court highlighted the “triple chain of accountability”

• Civil servants → accountable to Ministers
• Ministers → accountable to Legislatures
• Legislatures → accountable to the Electorate

Why is Accountability Essential?

• Checks Concentration of Power: Institutional scrutiny discourages authoritarian tendencies, nepotism and arbitrary exercise of state authority.
• Strengthens Democratic Legitimacy: Continuous answerability helps maintain citizens’ confidence in public institutions and elected governments.
• Improves Public-Service Delivery: Tools such as social audits and Citizen Charters can expose leakages, delays and administrative failures.
• Protects Constitutional Rights: Judicial review prevents administrative convenience or majoritarian interests from overriding constitutionally protected rights.

Accountability Mechanisms in India

1. Legislative Accountability

• Parliament ensures collective responsibility under Article 75(3).
• Key instruments include Parliamentary questions and debates, Confidence and no-confidence motions, Parliamentary committees, including the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

2. Administrative Accountability

• Enforced through Departmental proceedings, Service and conduct rules, Vigilance mechanisms, Performance evaluation systems.

3. Judicial Accountability

• Courts scrutinise legislation and executive action through Articles 32 and 226.
• Judicial review acts as a constitutional check on arbitrary governmental action.

4. Independent Institutional Oversight

• Constitutional bodies: CAG, Election Commission of India.
• Statutory institutions: Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), Lokpal and others.

5. Citizen-Centred Accountability

• Citizens can scrutinise governance through RTI Act 2005, Social audits, Media scrutiny, Citizen Charters, Public grievance mechanisms

Major Challenges

• Weakening of RTI Mechanism: Large backlogs of appeals and complaints, coupled with vacancies, can reduce the effectiveness of the transparency regime.
• Declining Legislative Scrutiny: A smaller proportion of Bills being referred to parliamentary committees can reduce detailed legislative examination.
• Constitutional Decision-Making Delays: Delays by Governors and Speakers in matters such as assent to Bills and Tenth Schedule proceedings raise concerns about institutional accountability.
• Opacity in Political Funding: Lack of transparency in political donations can weaken the accountability of political parties to ordinary citizens.
• Limited Institutional Autonomy: Concerns regarding the financial and administrative independence of investigative agencies can undermine impartial accountability.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Decarbonising the Aviation Sector

Why in News?

The Ministry of Civil Aviation reviewed India’s preparedness for the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and compliance with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel?

• SAF is a renewable, non-fossil-based alternative to conventional aviation turbine fuel.
• It is a “drop-in” fuel, meaning it can be used within existing aircraft and airport fuelling infrastructure when blended within approved limits.
• SAF can significantly reduce aviation’s lifecycle carbon footprint compared with conventional fossil-based jet fuel.

Key Features of SAF

1. Lower Emissions:

• Can reduce lifecycle CO₂ emissions by up to 80%, depending on the feedstock and production pathway.
• It can also substantially reduce sulphur-related emissions.

2. Compatibility:

• SAF is chemically similar to conventional Jet A/Jet A-1 fuel.
• Approved SAF blends can be used without major modifications to aircraft engines or fuelling infrastructure.
• Current certification generally permits blending of SAF with conventional jet fuel up to 50%, depending on the production pathway.

3. Limited Global Adoption:

• SAF currently constitutes less than 1% of global aviation fuel consumption.
• Major constraints include High production costs, Limited supply, Competition for sustainable feedstocks, Production and infrastructure challenges.

Major SAF Production Pathways

1. Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA)

• Uses lipid-based feedstocks such as Used cooking oil, Animal fats, Vegetable oils

2. Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ)

• Converts alcohols such as ethanol and iso-butanol into aviation fuel.
• Feedstocks can include sugar-based crops, starches and biomass.

3. Fischer-Tropsch (FT)

• Converts synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons.
• Potential feedstocks include Municipal solid waste and Woody biomass

4. Power-to-Liquid (PtL) / E-Fuels

• Uses green hydrogen and captured CO₂ to produce synthetic aviation fuels.
• Offers potential for very low-carbon aviation when powered by renewable energy.

India’s SAF Blending Roadmap

• India has proposed a phased increase in SAF blending for international flights: 2027: 1%, 2028: 2%, 2030: 5%
• The roadmap seeks to balance aviation-sector decarbonisation with the availability and affordability of SAF.

Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)

What is CORSIA?

• CORSIA is a global market-based mechanism developed under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
• It aims to control the growth of CO₂ emissions from international aviation through carbon offsetting and the use of eligible emission-reduction measures.

Key Features

1. International Scope

• Applies to qualifying international aviation routes between participating States.
• Domestic aviation emissions are outside its scope.

2. Carbon-Neutral Growth

• Airlines are required to address emissions above the applicable CORSIA baseline through eligible measures.
• The current baseline is linked to 85% of 2019 sectoral emissions.

3. Exemptions

• Certain States with very low international aviation activity are exempt from mandatory participation.
• Special consideration is also provided to Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)

How Can Airlines Meet CORSIA Obligations?

• Airlines can meet their obligations through mechanisms such as Use of eligible Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
• Purchase and cancellation of CORSIA-eligible emissions units generated under approved programmes.

India’s Position

• India did not participate in CORSIA’s voluntary phases.
• India has emphasised the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).
• The position reflects concerns that developing countries should not face disproportionate obligations while their aviation sectors are still expanding.

Significance for India

• Climate Action: Supports decarbonisation of a hard-to-abate sector.
• Energy Security: Reduces dependence on fossil-based aviation fuel over time.
• Waste-to-Fuel Potential: Creates opportunities to convert used cooking oil, agricultural residues and municipal waste into aviation fuel.
• Green Industry: Can stimulate investment in biofuels, green hydrogen and synthetic fuels.
• International Compliance: Helps India prepare for the mandatory phase of CORSIA from 2027.

Global Gig Worker Protections and India’s Position

Why in News?

India abstained from voting on ILO Convention No. 193, a proposed binding international instrument aimed at establishing common labour protections for workers engaged through digital platforms and the wider gig economy.

ILO Convention No. 193: Key Provisions

1. Broad Coverage

• Applies to digital platform workers across formal and informal economies.
• Covers both Location-based work (delivery personnel, ride-hailing drivers, etc.) and Online platform work (digitally mediated tasks performed remotely).

2. Employment Classification & Fair Remuneration

• Employment status should be determined by the actual nature of the working relationship, rather than merely by contractual labels used by platforms.
• Workers should receive wages on time.
• Those legally classified as employees should receive at least the applicable minimum wage.

3. Algorithmic Management

• Platforms would have greater obligations to explain automated systems used for Monitoring worker performance, Allocating tasks, Assessing workers & Determining access to or continuation of employment.

4. Fundamental Labour Rights

• The framework seeks to protect Freedom of association, Equality and non-discrimination, Social security, Occupational health and safety.
• Workers should have the ability to refuse hazardous work without facing retaliation.

5. Protection Against Harassment

• Member states would be expected to safeguard workers against Violence, Online abuse and threats; Harassment by customers, clients or other third parties.

6. Data & Migrant Worker Protection

• Provides safeguards for workers’ personal data.
• Seeks protection for migrant and refugee workers against exploitation during recruitment and employment.

Why Did India Abstain?

India’s position reflects concerns regarding the possible impact of the Convention on its rapidly expanding platform economy.

• Employment Classification: Mandatory reassessment of contractual relationships could challenge the prevailing independent-contractor model.
• Compliance Burden: Algorithmic transparency and expanded worker protections could raise operational costs for digital platforms.
• Startup Ecosystem: Higher regulatory obligations could potentially affect the scalability and flexibility of emerging platform businesses.
• Policy Flexibility: India has preferred a gradual approach that expands social security without automatically extending conventional employee status to all gig workers.

Possible Implications

• Worker Security: Abstention may raise concerns about the pace at which Indian gig workers receive internationally comparable labour protections.
• Global Standards: Divergence from emerging international norms could affect India’s approach to platform-worker regulation.
• Economic Balance: Policymakers face the challenge of reconciling worker welfare with innovation, employment generation and platform-sector growth.

Global Approaches to Gig-Worker Regulation

1. European Union – Platform Work Directive

• Creates a presumption of employment where the platform exercises sufficient control over how work is performed.
• Seeks greater transparency in algorithmic management.

2. Spain – Riders’ Law, 2021

• Presumes digitally managed delivery riders to be employees.
• Requires disclosure of certain algorithmic systems to worker representatives.

3. United States – California Proposition 22

• Retains app-based drivers largely as independent contractors.
• Provides specified benefits such as minimum earnings guarantees and healthcare-related support.

4. Singapore – Platform Workers Act

• Effective from 2025.
• Provides protections including Work-injury compensation, Retirement-related contributions, Representation rights.
• Does not necessarily require reclassification as conventional employees.

India’s Gig-Worker Protection Framework

1. Code on Social Security, 2020

• For the first time at the central level, gig workers and platform workers were formally recognised as distinct categories.
• Provides for a Social Security Fund for eligible workers.
• Aggregators are required to contribute within the prescribed framework, linked to their turnover.

2. e-Shram Portal

• Introduced in 2021 by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
• Creates a national database of unorganised workers.
• Its platform-worker module facilitates registration and integration of gig workers into welfare initiatives.

3. State-Level Initiatives

• Rajasthan: The Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers Act, 2023 provides for a welfare-oriented institutional framework funded through a transaction-based cess.
• Karnataka and Telangana: Have also explored state-level measures covering areas such as insurance, welfare and grievance redressal.

Index of Industrial Production (IIP): Tracking India’s Industrial Performance

Why in News?

India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew by 7.3% in June 2026, registering its strongest growth in 23 months and increasing by 5.1% compared with May 2026.

What is the Index of Industrial Production?

• IIP is a high-frequency indicator used to measure short-term movements in the volume of industrial production.
• It provides an early indication of industrial activity before quarterly GDP estimates are released.
• Compilation & Publication: Conducted monthly by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

10th Revision of IIP

1. New Base Year

• Revised from 2011–12 to 2022–23.

2. Deflation Methodology

• Earlier linked to the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
• Now uses the Output Producer Price Index (OPPI).

3. Expanded Product Basket

• Covers 1,042 products grouped into 463 item categories.
• Newly represented products include CCTV cameras, Medical stents, Aircraft parts

Sectoral Composition of IIP

• Manufacturing — 76.1% (Constitutes the largest component of the index).
• Mining & Quarrying — 11.1%
• Electricity & Gas Supply — 10.9%
• Water Supply, Sewerage & Waste Management — 2.02%

Why is IIP Important?

• Early Economic Signal: Provides timely information about industrial momentum.
• Policy Formulation: Helps policymakers assess sectoral performance and formulate economic policies.
• Business Decisions: Offers insights into production trends and industrial demand.
• GDP Assessment: Industrial output trends provide an important input for understanding broader economic activity.
• Sectoral Analysis: Enables assessment of manufacturing, mining, electricity and other industrial segments separately.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF): 88th Raising Day

Why in News?

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) observed its 88th Raising Day on 27 July 2026, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining internal security, counter-insurgency operations and assisting States in law-and-order management.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)

• Origin: Established on 27 July 1939 as the Crown Representative’s Police.
• Renaming: It was renamed the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) under the CRPF Act, 1949.
• Administrative Control: Functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Core Role: Serves as India’s principal force for internal security, counter-insurgency and anti-Naxal operations.

Major Functions

• Assists State Governments in maintaining law and order.
• Conducts counter-insurgency and Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) operations.
• Provides security during elections and manages riot and communal situations.
• Undertakes counter-terrorism operations and designated VIP protection.
• Contributes personnel to United Nations Peacekeeping Missions.

Key Specialized Units

1. CoBRA – Commando Battalion for Resolute Action

• Specialised force of the CRPF.
• Primarily trained for jungle warfare and anti-Naxal operations.

2. Rapid Action Force (RAF)

• Specialised wing for handling riots, communal disturbances and public-order situations.

3. VIP Security Wing

• Provides security to individuals designated for protection based on threat assessment.

4. Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)

• The CAPFs are armed police organisations under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

25 Years of Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) at Hanle

Why in News?

The 2-m Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) at Hanle in Ladakh has completed 25 years of successful operations, marking a significant milestone in India’s optical and near-infrared astronomical research.

Hanle: A Major Astronomical Site

• Location: Hanle, Ladakh, approximately 260 km from Leh.
• Astronomical Advantage: Its high-altitude, dry and isolated environment provides exceptionally favourable conditions for astronomical observations.
• Clear Skies: Around 250 usable nights annually.
• Low Water Vapour: Precipitable water vapour is generally below 2.5 mm, supporting near-infrared observations.
• Low Atmospheric Pressure: Minimises atmospheric interference with astronomical observations.
• Minimal Light Pollution: Sparse human habitation reduces artificial illumination and enhances observational sensitivity.

Himalayan Chandra Telescope

1. Establishment

• The foundation stone of the Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle was laid in 1997.
• The observatory was dedicated to the nation in August 2001.
• The telescope was named after Nobel laureate Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.

2. Unique Feature

• HCT has been capable of real-time remote operation from the IIA campus at Hosakote, Bengaluru, since 2001.
• Its remote operations were enabled through a dedicated INSAT-3B satellite link provided by ISRO.

3. Major Instruments

• HFOSC: Optical spectrograph and camera used for optical observations.
• uTIRSPEC: Near-infrared spectrometer and imager.
• HESP: High-resolution Echelle spectrograph for detailed spectroscopic studies.

MISHTI Scheme: Mangrove Conservation and Restoration

Why in News?

Andhra Pradesh secured second place among Indian States under the Centre’s MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) scheme, highlighting its efforts towards mangrove restoration and coastal ecosystem protection.

MISHTI Scheme

• Launch: Introduced in 2023 by the Government of India.
• Objective: Restore and expand mangrove ecosystems, strengthen coastal resilience against climate-related hazards and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.
• Approach: Combines ecological restoration with livelihood generation, particularly for communities dependent on coastal resources.

International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem

• Observed: 26 July every year.
• Adopted by: UNESCO in 2015.
• Purpose: Raise global awareness about the ecological importance of mangroves and encourage their sustainable management, conservation and restoration.

DAANVEER Initiative: Strengthening Gram Panchayat Digital Infrastructure

Why in News?

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the voluntary DAANVEER initiative with the tagline “Give Back to Your Village” to encourage citizen participation in strengthening the digital infrastructure of Gram Panchayats.

About DAANVEER Initiative

• Nature: A voluntary citizen participation platform focused on improving digital capabilities at the grassroots level.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
• Core Focus: Facilitating transparent donations of quality-verified technology assets to citizens’ native villages.
• Potential Donors: Individuals, organisations and the Indian diaspora can participate.

Sports – India’s Silver Medals at Commonwealth Games 2026

• Gulveer Singh won a silver medal in the men’s 10,000m, securing India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medal in the event.
• Harjinder Kaur clinched silver in the women’s 69 kg weightlifting category at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026.

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