Daily Current Affairs and GK | 26 July 2025

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

1. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi outlined five core areas shaping India’s clean energy transition.

• These include stronger power purchase agreements, improved grid and storage infrastructure, expanded domestic manufacturing, efficient land use, and better access to finance.
• India is rapidly progressing toward its 2030 target of 500 GW non-fossil capacity.
• The Minister said this while addressing Mercom India Renewables Summit in New Delhi.
• The country has already achieved over 50% of its total installed power from clean energy, ahead of schedule.
• India’s current renewable energy capacity exceeds 245 GW.
• This includes 116 GW from solar and 52 GW from wind sources.
• A recent report by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows that India’s 2024 renewable energy growth saved nearly ₹4 lakh crore.
• This includes $14.9 billion in fossil fuel savings.
• It also includes the avoidance of 410.9 million tonnes of carbon emissions and $31.7 billion in health and pollution-related benefits.
• The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana has received more than 58.7 lakh applications.
• So far, 17.2 lakh rooftop solar systems have been installed under the scheme.
• A ₹5,400 crore viability gap funding program for 30 GWh of battery storage has been launched.
• This initiative is expected to attract ₹33,000 crore in private investments.
• The government has planned extensive transmission infrastructure to handle 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.
• The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) is being expanded.
• A new category for solar PV cells (List-II) will come into effect in June 2026.
• A ₹24,000 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is boosting domestic solar and wind manufacturing.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission is moving forward with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore.
• It includes plans for 3,000 MW of electrolyser capacity and approval for 8.6 lakh tonnes of green hydrogen production annually.
• The Mercom India Renewables Summit brings together key stakeholders from across the sector.
• The Summit is  supported by the Solar Energy Corporation of India, Skill Council for Green Energy Jobs, and Energy Storage Alliance in India.
• It is also supported by Renewable Energy Society of India, Digital Infrastructure Providers Association, and Indian Solar Manufacturers Association.

Topic: Important Days

2. Kargil Vijay Diwas 2025: 26 July

• Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on 26 July to pay tribute to the soldiers who fought the Kargil War.
• This year will be the 26th anniversary of the Kargil War.
• It also commemorates India's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War of 1999 and marks the successful culmination of Operation Vijay.
• The Kargil War was fought for over 60 days and ended with India gaining control of all the territories.
• The Kargil War took place between May 3 and July 26, 1999, along the Line of Control (LOC). India lost more than 500 military soldiers in the Kargil War.
• On July 26, 2025, three major projects launched by the Army, including a portal where civilians can pay 'e-shradhanjali' to martyrs.
• The project was launched to make people aware about the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers on the occasion of the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas.
• The other two projects are a QR code-based audio application on which people can listen to stories of battles fought during the 1999 Kargil War and Indus Viewpoint, which will provide people a chance to visit the Line of Control in the Batalik sector.

(Source: DD News)

Topic: Defence

3. DRDO successfully test-fired the advanced UAV-launched Precision Guided Missile-V3.

• Enhancing the country's defense capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flight tested ULPGM-V3 at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) test range at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
• The new version is an upgraded form of the previously developed ULPGM-V2 missile.
• The missile is fitted with a high-definition dual-channel seeker and has the ability to strike targets both in plain and high-altitude areas.
• It is capable of day-and-night operation and is supported by a two-way data link for post-launch target updates.
• The missile features three modular warhead options: Anti-armour for destroying modern armored vehicles with RHA and ERA, penetration-cum-blast for anti-bunker roles, and pre-fragmentation for wide-area impact.
• These configurations enhance its versatility against diverse battlefield targets.
• The development was carried out jointly by several DRDO laboratories, including RCI, DRDL, TBRL, HEMRL, ITR, and DLRL.
• The successful trials were performed for the anti-armor configuration.
• The UAV from which the missile was launched was indigenously developed by Newspace Research Technologies, Bengaluru.
• Around 30 MSMEs/start-ups and development-cum-production partners like Adani Defence and BDL Hyderabad were involved in the project.

Topic: Personality in News

4. Prime Minister Modi surpassed Indira Gandhi to become the second longest-serving Indian Prime Minister.

• On July 25, PM Narendra Modi completed 4,078 consecutive days in office, surpassing Indira Gandhi’s record of 4,077 days.

• Modi now stands second only to Jawaharlal Nehru, who served for over 16 years and 286 days.
• He is the first PM born after India’s independence and was sworn in for the third term in June last year.
• Modi entered the Prime Minister’s office on May 26, 2014, and led BJP to back-to-back election victories in 2014, 2019, and 2024.
• He is the first and only non-Congress PM to complete two full terms and be re-elected thrice.
• Modi earlier served as Gujarat’s longest-serving Chief Minister from 2001 to 2014.
• In 2014, BJP won 272 seats under Modi’s leadership, which increased to 303 in 2019.
• In 2024, although the BJP fell short of a majority, the NDA alliance returned to power.
• He is the first sitting PM since Indira Gandhi in 1971 to get re-elected with a majority.
• The record also makes Modi the longest-serving PM from a non-Congress party in India’s history.

Topic: State News/Tamil Nadu

5. PM Modi launched projects worth Rs 4,800 crore in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu.

• On 26 July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated multiple projects in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, with a total cost of over ₹4,800 crore.
• A new terminal building at Tuticorin airport, built at ₹450 crore, was inaugurated by the PM.
• Two strategically important highway projects were dedicated to the nation.
• These included the 4-laning of the 50 km Sethiyathope–Cholapuram stretch of NH-36, developed at over ₹2,350 crore, and the 6-laning of the 5.16 km NH-138 Tuticorin Port Road, built for around ₹200 crore.
• North Cargo Berth-III, with a 6.96 MMTPA cargo handling capacity, was inaugurated at V. O. Chidambaranar Port, set up at a cost of Rs 285 crore.
• Modi also inaugurated railway infrastructure projects across southern Tamil Nadu for efficient connectivity.
• These include electrification of the Madurai–Bodinayakkanur line and doubling of multiple rail sections.
• The foundation stone for the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) from the Kudankulam Nuclear Plant was laid.
• The ₹550 crore ISTS project will support electricity evacuation and power reliability across states.
• The project will include a 400 kV double-circuit line from Kudankulam to the Tuticorin-II GIS substation.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

6. Atal Pension Yojana crossed 8 crore enrollments in its 10th year.

• The Atal Pension Yojana has crossed 8 crore gross enrollments since its launch in 2015.
• Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a flagship social security scheme of the Government of India administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
• In FY 2025-26 alone, 39 lakh new subscribers have been added to the scheme.
• APY was launched to provide a universal social security system, especially for the unorganized sector.
• APY is designed to provide 'Sampurna Suraksha Kavach' by guaranteeing a monthly pension of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 after 60 years of age.
• The same pension is given to the spouse after the subscriber’s death, and the accumulated corpus is returned to the nominee after both pass away.
• The scheme is open to Indian citizens aged 18–40, except those who are or have been income tax payers.

Topic: Space and IT

7. NASA has launched the TRACERS (Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites) mission.

• It aims to study how Earth's magnetic field defends the planet from solar storms and space weather.
• The mission includes two satellites. They will fly just 10 seconds apart.
• These satellites will collect over 3,000 scientific measurements in one year.
• TRACERS will explore magnetic reconnection. This is a sudden release of energy that happens when the Sun’s magnetic field interacts with Earth’s.
• The satellites will observe a region called the polar cusp. It is located near Earth’s North Pole.
• This area is where the Sun’s magnetic forces directly impact Earth’s magnetic shield.
• The mission will provide real-time data. It will show how solar particles and energy enter Earth’s upper atmosphere.
• This information will help protect technologies on Earth. It includes communication systems, satellites, power grids, and space missions.
• The TRACERS satellites were launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
• The launch took place at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
• Three other small satellite missions were also launched with TRACERS. These are Athena EPIC, PExT, and REAL.
• Athena EPIC will help reduce the cost of future space missions. It uses advanced satellite design and will measure Earth’s radiation.
• PExT is testing a new communication system. It allows satellites to connect to both commercial and government networks.
• REAL is a small CubeSat. It will study how harmful electrons escape from the Van Allen radiation belts. This can impact astronauts and satellites.
• The TRACERS mission is important for countries like India. India depends heavily on satellite technology for weather, navigation, and communication.
• The mission will help protect critical infrastructure and support safe space exploration around the world.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

8. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways held the Maritime Financing Summit 2025 in New Delhi.

• The event aimed to develop strong financial strategies for India’s maritime growth.

• It aligns with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
• This vision aims to position India as a leading global maritime power.
• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal delivered the keynote address.
• He spoke about India’s rapid transformation in the maritime sector.
• Average port turnaround time has dropped from 4 days to less than 1.
• Major ports have increased container handling capacity by over 70%.
• India now allows 100% FDI in shipping through the automatic route.
• A new Maritime Development Fund (MDF) was proposed during the summit.
• The MDF will support investment in shipyards, ports, and inland waterways.
• Reforms discussed include recognizing large vessels as infrastructure assets.
• The Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) will also be extended.
• The Financial Digital Maturity Matrix (FDMM) was launched at the summit.
• FDMM will assess and improve financial digital readiness at Indian ports.
• Around 250 participants from across the maritime sector attended the summit.
• The event concluded with closing remarks from Shri Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary,Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.

Topic: Intenational News

9. India and the Maldives signed six Memoranda of Understanding to deepen collaboration in several sectors.

• These include fisheries, weather services, digital systems, financial technology, pharmaceutical standards, and concessional financing.

• India extended a new Line of Credit worth ₹4,850 crore.
• This will support infrastructure development and other projects in the Maldives.
• An agreement was revised to reduce the Maldives’ annual loan repayment to India.
• The repayment amount was cut from $51 million to $29 million, easing financial pressure on the Maldives.
• The two countries began steps toward a Free Trade Agreement.
• They exchanged framework documents to start formal negotiations.
• India-Maldives are currently celebrating 60 years of formal diplomatic ties.
• Modi highlighted that the proposed Free Trade Agreement and Investment Treaty will create new economic opportunities for both countries.
• Modi and Muizzu jointly inaugurated the new Maldives Defence Ministry building. This project was funded by India.
• They also virtually launched a major infrastructure project in Addu City.
• India handed over 3,300 social housing units and 72 vehicles to Maldives’ defence and immigration authorities.
• The Addu City project is funded by India’s Exim Bank and executed by Afcons Infrastructure.
• Prime Minister Modi is the Guest of Honour at the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations in Malé.
• India- Maldives Relations:
  • India recognized the Maldives' independence in 1965 and established diplomatic relations.
  • Indian imports from the Maldives primarily comprise scrap metals.
  • Efforts are being made to tap the potential of seafood exports from Maldives to India.

Topic: Defence

10. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh inaugurated the Shaurya Bharat Car Rally at the Air Force Station in New Delhi.

• This rally celebrates the achievements of Operation Sindoor. It pays tribute to the bravery of the Armed Forces.
• The event is organized by the Progress Harmony Development Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Air Force.
• It promotes national pride, valor, and environmental development.
• The rally will proceed from New Delhi to Air Force Station Adampur. It will pass through Air Force Station Ambala. The rally will conclude on 27 July 2025.
• Participants will visit various colleges and universities. They aim to encourage young people to consider careers in the Armed Forces.
• The initiative highlights the importance of courage, discipline, and patriotism.
• The rally is conducted under the guidance of the Directorate of Adventure.
• It includes 112 participants from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, DRDO, and NCC.
• The journey covers about 800 kilometers. It uses 40 vehicles, most of which are electric.
• Operation Sindoor was launched by India on May 7, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.