Daily Current Affairs July 24, 2026

Current Affairs and GK updates 24/07/2026

Here is the Daily current affairs and GK updates of the day for UPSC,SSC,IBPS,RRB,NTPC and other competitive exams preparations.This updates particularly focus on news updates from 24th July 2026.

National

• Cabinet Approves BHAVYA–Rasayan Scheme for Three Chemical Parks:The Union Cabinet approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan (BHAVYA–Rasayan) scheme to establish three dedicated Chemical Parks in India.The scheme has a total financial outlay of ₹3,030 crore and will run for five years from FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31. The Centre will provide a grant of up to ₹1,000 crore per park, subject to a minimum contribution of ₹500 crore by the concerned state government.The parks will provide plug-and-play infrastructure such as:
• Common Effluent Treatment Plants
• Waste-treatment facilities
• Water supply systems
• Solvent recovery facilities
• Logistics and warehousing
• Pipeline networks
• MoC Unveils 'AAROH' Report on Scientific Mine Closure:The Ministry of Coal (MoC) released the AAROH: Annual Report on Mine Closure in New Delhi, detailing advancements in post-mining ecological restoration, land reclamation, and sustainable land repurposing across 42 coal mines.
• The Ministry virtually inaugurated Coal NEER Plants set up by Coal India Limited subsidiaries (BCCL, CCL, MCL, and SECL) to treat mine discharge water for community potable use and irrigation.
• NABARD Partners with MAHAPREIT for Green Infrastructure:NABARD signed an MoU with Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology (MAHAPREIT) to promote green infrastructure in rural areas.The cooperation focuses on renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure development.
• DRDO Signs Contracts for AEW&C Mk-II Programme:The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed two major contracts for the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Mk-II programme.The programme aims to strengthen India's indigenous airborne surveillance and air-defence capabilities.
• The platform will use six Airbus A321 aircraft acquired from Air India, which will be converted into airborne early-warning platforms. The programme was approved in 2025 with an outlay of ₹19,000 crore.
• Project Kusha – Indigenous Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile:India's DRDO continued flight testing and development of Project Kusha, an indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile system.The system is intended to enhance India's capability to detect and engage aerial threats at extended ranges.
• India Advances Counter-Drone Capability with Bhargavastra:The indigenous Bhargavastra counter-drone system was highlighted among India's developing solutions against drone-based threats.The system is designed to detect and neutralise hostile unmanned aerial systems.
• UNNATI AI 2.0 Launched:Microsoft India and IIT Delhi unveiled UNNATI AI 2.0, aimed at strengthening India's artificial-intelligence innovation ecosystem.The initiative focuses on AI research, innovation and development of technology capabilities.
• The Government of India released an analytical factsheet on cotton, noting that India ranks 1st globally in cotton cultivation area (114.84 lakh hectares; ~38% of the world total) and 2nd in both production and consumption, supporting over 6 million farmers and 50 million textile workers.China and India are the world’s leading cotton producers, frequently trading the top global spots. Recent 2025–2026 data shows China leading with roughly 7.5 million metric tonnes, followed closely by India at approximately 4.95 to 5.1 million tonnes (290.91 lakh bales), which maintains the largest global area under cultivation.Top Global Cotton Producers (Recent Estimates)
• China: ~7.5 million tonnes (Rank 1 globally)
• India: ~5.1 million tonnes / 290.91 lakh bales (Rank 1 in acreage, Rank 2 in production)
• Brazil: ~4.1 million tonnes (pivotal high-yield South American producer)
• United States: ~3.0 million tonnes
• Pakistan: ~1.1 million tonnes

 International

• President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, completed a high-level official state visit to India.
• Bilateral talks reviewed the expansion of the IIT Madras Zanzibar Campus at the Fumba Peninsula—India's first offshore international IIT campus.
• Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous tropical archipelago in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania, East Africa. Known as the "Spice Island", it features the main island of Unguja (commonly called Zanzibar), Pemba, and smaller surrounding islands, famed for white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and rich cultural history.

Days Observed

• July 24: National Income Tax Day (Aaykar Diwas) — Commemorates the introduction of income tax in India on July 24, 1860, by Sir James Wilson.
• July 24: International Self-Care Day — Observed globally by the WHO to promote personal health management and lifestyle wellness (symbolising 24/7 self-care).

Static GK for exam preparations

Income Tax in India (Aaykar Diwas):

• Origin: First introduced on July 24, 1860, by Sir James Wilson (the first Finance Member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council) to compensate the British government for losses incurred during the 1857 Revolt.
• Statutory Body: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), a statutory authority functioning under the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963, heads the Income Tax Department under the Ministry of Finance.

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD):

• Established: July 12, 1982, on the recommendations of the B. Sivaraman Committee under the NABARD Act, 1981.
• Ownership: Wholly owned by the Government of India.
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.

White Gold:The crop known as "white gold" is cotton. It earns this nickname because of its high economic value, its bright white fiber, and the massive revenue it generates as a major cash crop

👉 TAKE TODAY'S GK QUIZ