Daily Current Affairs 26th July 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

Ministry Of Steel Launches ‘Steel Import Monitoring System’ 2.0 Portal

Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, the Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries, has launched the upgraded Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) 2.0. The event was attended by Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary of the Ministry of Steel, and other senior government officials.

Renaming of Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Halls to Reflect Indian Values

President Droupadi Murmu has renamed two significant halls in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ‘Durbar Hall’ is now ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Hall’ is now ‘Ashok Mandap’. This change aims to reflect Indian cultural values within the President’s official residence.

India’s Installed Nuclear Power Capacity to Triple by 2031-32

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that India’s nuclear power capacity will increase from 8,180 MW to 22,480 MW by 2031-32. This was stated in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. Dr. Singh also mentioned India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and projected a need for a national nuclear capacity of around 100,000 MW by 2047.

Ashwini Vaishnaw Inaugurates India’s 500th Community Radio Station in Aizawl

Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated India’s 500th community radio station, Apna Radio 90.0 FM, at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) in Aizawl, Mizoram. This event highlights the government’s commitment to the Act East policy and aims to enhance local communication and information dissemination.

Banking News

AU Small Finance Bank Seeks Universal Banking License

AU Small Finance Bank’s board has approved a proposal to transition to a universal bank. This decision follows the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines issued on August 1, 2016, and a circular on the voluntary transition of SFBs to universal banks dated April 26, 2024. A four-member Committee of Directors, chaired by HR Khan, the bank’s part-time Chairman and Independent Director, will oversee the application process.

Schemes News

Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024 Launch in Dhanbad

Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, launched the Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024 at Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) in Dhanbad on July 25, 2024. This initiative is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign and was conducted across 300 locations in 47 districts within 11 coal/lignite-bearing states.

Awards News

10th National Community Radio Awards Announced by Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced the winners of the 10th National Community Radio Awards on July 25, 2024. The event also marked the inauguration of India’s 500th Community Radio Station and was attended by Mizoram’s Chief Minister, Lalduhoma.

Rajbhasha Gaurav Samman 2023-24 Award Ceremony

The Town Official Language Implementation Committee (TOLIC) honored Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in Visakhapatnam with the ‘Rajbhasha Gaurav Samman’ for 2023-24. The event, hosted by NTPC, was presided over by Atul Bhatt, Chairman of TOLIC and CMD of RINL.

Defence News

Indian Army Departs for Multinational Exercise KHAAN QUEST 2024

The Indian Army has left to participate in the multinational military exercise KHAAN QUEST 2024, scheduled from July 27 to August 9, 2024, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. This exercise provides a platform for military forces worldwide to collaborate and enhance their peacekeeping capabilities.

Science and Technology News

Discovery of Lithium Resources in Mandya and Yadgiri Districts, Karnataka by AMD

The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) has discovered lithium resources in the Mandya and Yadgiri districts of Karnataka. Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the discovery of 1,600 tonnes of lithium in the Marlagalla area of Mandya district. Preliminary surveys and limited subsurface exploration were also conducted in Yadgiri district.

Mankind Pharma Acquires Bharat Serums and Vaccines For Rs 13,600 Crore

Mankind Pharma has agreed to acquire a 100% stake in Bharat Serums and Vaccines (BSV) from Advent International for an enterprise value of Rs 13,630 crore, subject to closing-related adjustments.

Important Days

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024, Remembering India’s Triumph in the Kargil War

India observes Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26 every year to honor the bravery of the Indian Army and celebrate the victory over Pakistan during the 1999 Kargil Conflict. This day is significant in India’s military history, marking the successful conclusion of Operation Vijay.

Obituaries News

Former Indonesia Vice President Hamzah Haz Dies at 84

Hamzah Haz, who served as Indonesia’s vice-president from 2001 to 2004, passed away at the age of 84. He died at a hospital in Jakarta on July 24, as confirmed by a politician from the Development Planning Party (PPP) in a televised interview.

Veteran Marathi Writer Father Francis D’Britto Dies At 81

Father Francis D’Britto, a Vasai-based Catholic priest, writer, and environmentalist who translated the Bible into Marathi, passed away on July 25, 2024, after a prolonged illness. He was 81 and died at his home in Vasai, Palghar district.