July 2026 Monthly Current Affairs: National Affairs

This section covers important national developments from July 2026 for candidates preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence, State PSC and other competitive examinations.

1. Cabinet Approves Continuation of PM-KISAN Until 2030–31

The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, commonly known as PM-KISAN, from financial year 2026–27 to 2030–31.

The approved financial outlay for the continuation period is ₹3.15 lakh crore. The scheme provides income support to eligible landholding farmer families through direct benefit transfer.

Key points

Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
Common name: PM-KISAN
Extension period: 2026–27 to 2030–31
Financial outlay: ₹3.15 lakh crore
Sector: Agriculture and farmers’ welfare
Payment method: Direct Benefit Transfer

Static GK: PM-KISAN

PM-KISAN is a Central Sector Scheme under which eligible farmer families receive income support directly in their bank accounts.

Exam relevance

Questions may be asked about:

Central Sector schemes
Direct Benefit Transfer
Agricultural welfare
Farmers’ income support
Cabinet approvals

2. Samudra Manthan Offshore Exploration Scheme Approved

The Union Cabinet approved Samudra Manthan, described as a National Offshore Exploration Scheme.

The scheme has been approved with an outlay of ₹84,084 crore. It seeks to strengthen exploration of offshore oil and gas resources and improve India’s domestic energy-security capabilities.

Key points

Scheme: Samudra Manthan
Nature: National Offshore Exploration Scheme
Approved outlay: ₹84,084 crore
Sector: Petroleum and natural gas
Objective: Expansion of offshore exploration

Why is it important?

India depends substantially on imported crude oil. Increased domestic exploration can support energy security and reduce exposure to fluctuations in international energy markets.

Related concepts

Offshore exploration
Exclusive Economic Zone
Energy security
Blue economy
Hydrocarbon resources

3. Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana Approved

The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana, abbreviated as PM-SSY.

The scheme has a total outlay of ₹5,070 crore and focuses on developing floating solar photovoltaic projects combined with energy-storage systems.

Key points

Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana
Abbreviation: PM-SSY
Total outlay: ₹5,070 crore
Technology: Floating solar photovoltaic systems
Additional component: Energy-storage systems
Sector: Renewable energy

What is floating solar?

Floating solar projects install photovoltaic panels on water bodies such as reservoirs, lakes and ponds.

Potential advantages include:

Reduced requirement for land
Lower water evaporation
Productive use of reservoir surfaces
Improved renewable-energy capacity

Exam relevance

This topic is connected with:

Renewable energy
Solar power
Climate commitments
Energy storage
Sustainable infrastructure

4. Cabinet Approves Revamped Khelo India Scheme

The Cabinet approved a revamped Khelo India Scheme along with enhanced assistance to National Sports Federations.

The decision is intended to strengthen sports infrastructure, athlete development, competitive performance and institutional support for sports organisations in India.

Key points

Programme: Khelo India
Additional decision: Enhanced assistance to National Sports Federations
Sector: Sports development
Beneficiaries: Athletes, training institutions and sports federations

Static GK: Khelo India

Khelo India is a national programme aimed at strengthening the country’s sports culture and identifying sporting talent from the grassroots level.

5. Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme Approved

The Union Cabinet approved the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme during July 2026.

The scheme is intended to strengthen domestic manufacturing, support electronics supply chains and expand India’s position as a global mobile-phone production centre.

Key points

Scheme: Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme
Abbreviation: MPMS
Sector: Electronics manufacturing
Broad objective: Expansion of domestic mobile-phone production
Policy connection: Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat

Exam relevance

This development may be linked to:

Electronics manufacturing
Global supply chains
Production incentives
Domestic value addition
Employment generation

6. Semicon 2.0 Receives Cabinet Approval

The Cabinet approved Semicon 2.0, extending long-term government policy support for the semiconductor industry in India.

The programme is intended to develop semiconductor manufacturing, design, packaging and related supply-chain capabilities.

Why are semiconductors important?

Semiconductors are essential components in:

Smartphones
Computers
Automobiles
Defence systems
Telecommunications
Medical equipment
Artificial-intelligence hardware

Key points

Programme: Semicon 2.0
Sector: Semiconductor ecosystem
Objective: Long-term policy support
Strategic value: Technology and supply-chain security

Exam relevance

Possible questions may involve:

Critical technologies
Electronics supply chains
Semiconductor fabrication
Strategic autonomy
Digital economy

7. BHAVYA Rasayan Chemical Parks Scheme Approved

The Union Cabinet approved a chemical-parks scheme called Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan, or BHAVYA Rasayan.

The programme is designed to develop integrated chemical-manufacturing clusters and strengthen industrial infrastructure for the chemical sector.

Key points

Full name: Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan
Short name: BHAVYA Rasayan
Sector: Chemicals and industrial infrastructure
Model: Integrated chemical parks
Broad objective: Improve manufacturing competitiveness

Why is it significant?

Integrated industrial parks can provide shared infrastructure, logistics facilities, environmental-management systems and better connections between suppliers and manufacturers.

8. National Investment Policy for Urea 2026 Approved

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the National Investment Policy for Urea 2026, also referred to as NIPU-2026.

The policy seeks to promote domestic urea production and strengthen fertiliser security under the broader objective of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Key points

Policy: National Investment Policy for Urea 2026
Abbreviation: NIPU-2026
Sector: Fertilisers
Objective: Increased domestic urea production
Policy framework: Atmanirbhar Bharat

Static GK: Urea

Urea is a nitrogenous fertiliser widely used in Indian agriculture. India has historically relied partly on imports to meet domestic requirements.

Exam relevance

Fertiliser policy
Agricultural inputs
Food security
Import dependence
Nutrient-based agriculture

9. Major Railway Multitracking Projects Approved

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved railway multitracking projects across several states during July 2026.

Two projects covering four districts in Odisha and Jharkhand will expand the railway network by approximately 145 kilometres. Another project covering districts in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh will add around 46 kilometres to the existing network.

Objectives of railway multitracking

Increase route capacity
Reduce railway congestion
Improve passenger mobility
Facilitate freight transportation
Support regional industrial development

Key figures

Region	Approximate network addition
Odisha and Jharkhand	145 km
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh	46 km

10. Major National Highway Projects Approved in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi

Several major road-infrastructure projects received approval during July 2026.

These included:

A six-lane greenfield elevated corridor between NH-19 and the Varanasi Ring Road, with a capital cost of ₹14,447.64 crore
A six/four-lane elevated corridor along the Varuna River bank, costing ₹10,998.32 crore
The access-controlled Kanpur–Kabrai section of NH-34, costing ₹7,145.14 crore
An 8.1-kilometre road tunnel connecting the Dwarka Expressway with Nelson Mandela Marg in Delhi, costing ₹6,969.67 crore

Key infrastructure terms

Hybrid Annuity Model: A public-private partnership model in which project costs and risks are shared between the government and the private developer.

BOT Toll: Build–Operate–Transfer model in which a private entity constructs and operates a road, generally recovering investment through toll collection before transferring it to the government.

Exam relevance

Public-private partnerships
National highways
Infrastructure financing
Hybrid Annuity Model
Build–Operate–Transfer

11. More Than 26 Crore APAAR IDs Generated

As of 2 July 2026, India had generated 26.35 crore verified APAAR IDs.

APAAR stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. It provides students with a unique 12-digit academic identity linked with the Academic Bank of Credits and supports the “One Nation, One Student ID” initiative.

Key points

Full form: Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry
Nature: Unique 12-digit student identification number
Related platform: Academic Bank of Credits
Policy initiative: One Nation, One Student ID
Verified IDs as of 2 July 2026: 26.35 crore
Access platforms: DigiLocker and ABC

Academic Bank of Credits

The Academic Bank of Credits allows students to:

Store academic credits digitally
Transfer credits between recognised institutions
Redeem credits toward academic qualifications
Use multiple-entry and multiple-exit options

The system supports the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Credit Framework.

12. Digital India Completed 11 Years

The Digital India Programme completed 11 years on 1 July 2026.

The programme has supported the expansion of digital public infrastructure, electronic governance, online public services, digital payments, education platforms and welfare delivery.

Key points

Programme: Digital India
Anniversary: 11 years
Date: 1 July 2026
Focus: Digital governance and citizen services
Important associated platforms:
- DigiLocker
- Aadhaar-enabled services
- Unified Payments Interface
- Direct Benefit Transfer
- Common Service Centres

Exam relevance

Digital India can be studied under:

E-governance
Digital public infrastructure
Financial inclusion
Electronic service delivery
Technology-based welfare administration

13. Government Reviews Preparedness for Possible El Niño Impact

A high-level meeting chaired by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister reviewed preparedness for the possible impact of El Niño on agriculture, power, health, water resources, rural development and the broader economy.

The government reported that weak-to-moderate El Niño conditions were expected during July and August. District Agriculture Contingency Plans had been updated for 262 vulnerable districts.

Measures reviewed

Availability of agricultural inputs
Reservoir and groundwater levels
Crop-sowing progress
Fertiliser availability
Fodder availability
Essential-food stocks
Heatwave and dengue monitoring
Crop insurance and Kisan Credit Card coverage

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research also issued standard operating procedures for managing El Niño risks in agriculture.

Static GK: El Niño

El Niño refers to the abnormal warming of surface waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.

It can influence:

Indian monsoon rainfall
Agricultural production
Global weather patterns
Drought and flood risks
Commodity prices

July 2026 National Affairs One-Liners

PM-KISAN was approved for continuation until 2030–31.
The approved PM-KISAN outlay is ₹3.15 lakh crore.
Samudra Manthan is a national offshore exploration scheme.
Samudra Manthan has an outlay of ₹84,084 crore.
PM-SSY focuses on floating solar photovoltaic projects.
The outlay of PM-SSY is ₹5,070 crore.
The Cabinet approved a revamped Khelo India Scheme.
MPMS is associated with mobile-phone manufacturing.
Semicon 2.0 supports India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
BHAVYA Rasayan is related to integrated chemical parks.
NIPU-2026 is associated with domestic urea production.
Railway projects in Odisha and Jharkhand will add approximately 145 km.
Another multitracking project will add approximately 46 km in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The Varanasi greenfield elevated-corridor project costs ₹14,447.64 crore.
The Dwarka–Vasant Kunj road-tunnel project is 8.1 km long.
APAAR is a 12-digit student identification number.
India had generated 26.35 crore verified APAAR IDs by 2 July 2026.
Digital India completed 11 years on 1 July 2026.
Agriculture contingency plans were updated for 262 vulnerable districts.
El Niño originates in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

Practice MCQs

1. PM-KISAN has been approved for continuation until which financial year?

A. 2027–28
B. 2028–29
C. 2029–30
D. 2030–31

Answer: D. 2030–31

2. Samudra Manthan is related to:

A. Inland waterways
B. Offshore exploration
C. Marine tourism
D. Coastal policing

Answer: B. Offshore exploration

3. Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana focuses primarily on:

A. Rooftop wind turbines
B. Floating solar projects
C. Nuclear power plants
D. Biomass-based fertilisers

Answer: B. Floating solar projects

4. Semicon 2.0 is related to the development of:

A. Fertiliser plants
B. Semiconductor ecosystem
C. Sports infrastructure
D. Inland waterways

Answer: B. Semiconductor ecosystem

5. BHAVYA Rasayan is associated with:

A. Pharmaceutical insurance
B. Chemical parks
C. Rural housing
D. Solar irrigation

Answer: B. Chemical parks

6. NIPU-2026 is related to:

A. Urea production
B. Telecom infrastructure
C. Urban transport
D. Food processing

Answer: A. Urea production

7. APAAR ID contains how many digits?

A. 10
B. 11
C. 12
D. 16

Answer: C. 12

8. APAAR is linked with which educational initiative?

A. One Nation, One Student ID
B. One Nation, One Election
C. One Nation, One Ration Card
D. National Apprenticeship Portal

Answer: A. One Nation, One Student ID

9. Digital India completed how many years on 1 July 2026?

A. 9 years
B. 10 years
C. 11 years
D. 12 years

Answer: C. 11 years

10. El Niño is associated with abnormal warming in which ocean?

A. Atlantic Ocean
B. Arctic Ocean
C. Indian Ocean
D. Pacific Ocean

Answer: D. Pacific Ocean

Quick Revision Table

Topic	Key fact
PM-KISAN continuation	2026–27 to 2030–31
PM-KISAN outlay	₹3.15 lakh crore
Samudra Manthan	Offshore exploration
Samudra Manthan outlay	₹84,084 crore
PM Surya Sarovar Yojana	Floating solar and storage
PM-SSY outlay	₹5,070 crore
Semicon 2.0	Semiconductor ecosystem
BHAVYA Rasayan	Chemical parks
NIPU-2026	Domestic urea production
APAAR	12-digit student ID
Verified APAAR IDs	26.35 crore
Digital India	Completed 11 years
El Niño contingency plans	262 vulnerable districts

Conclusion

National current affairs in July 2026 were dominated by major Cabinet decisions related to agriculture, renewable energy, offshore exploration, semiconductor manufacturing, chemical parks, fertiliser security, sports and transport infrastructure.

For examinations, candidates should pay particular attention to the names and objectives of the new schemes, their financial outlays, the APAAR and Academic Bank of Credits system, infrastructure-financing models and the government’s preparedness measures for El Niño.

Disclaimer: This compilation is prepared for educational and examination purposes using official government announcements available at the time of writing. Readers should consult the relevant government department for subsequent amendments or corrections.