Wednesday, 29 July 2026 Current Affairs, GK Notes & MCQ Quiz

India intensified its UNSC reform campaign through SHANTI, while the EU unveiled an AI Transparency Code to curb deepfakes. Key updates also include e-Zero FIR rollout, polymer currency trials, Fields Medal 2026, hepatitis elimination efforts, Andromeda findings, Madanapalle’s Zero Waste model, and Ghana’s geography.

Topics in this edition

  1. EU AI Transparency Code under Article 50 (own page)
  2. Madanapalle Zero Waste City Model (own page)
  3. e-Zero FIR System for Cybercrime (own page)
  4. India’s Hepatitis Elimination Efforts (own page)
  5. RBI’s ₹10 and ₹20 Polymer Note Trials (own page)
  6. New Findings on the Andromeda Galaxy (own page)
  7. Geographical Significance of Ghana (own page)
  8. The Fields Medal 2026 and Laureates (own page)

Current affairs

EU AI Transparency Code under Article 50

The EU introduced a Code of Practice on Transparency of AI-Generated Content under Article 50 of the AI Act. It mandates labeling and watermarking of synthetic media to curb deepfakes and misinformation.

Quick highlights

  • Applies to AI-generated and AI-modified content.
  • Requires machine-readable watermarks and human-visible labels.
  • Three-tier icon system: AI, AI Generated, AI Modified.
  • Penalties up to €15 million or 3% of global turnover.
  • Exemptions for satire, minor edits, and law enforcement.

Context

EU operationalized Article 50 of the AI Act through a Transparency Code to ensure disclosure of AI-generated content.

Key Facts

Mandates watermarking (e.g., C2PA standards), public detection tools, and deployer disclosures. Covers deepfakes, synthetic voice, altered images, and AI text.

Significance

Aims to protect democratic discourse, prevent fraud, and standardize compliance across the EU Single Market.

Challenges / Way Forward

Technical limits of watermarking, enforcement disparities, SME burden, and need for global interoperability and digital literacy.

Exam Angle

GS III: Emerging technologies, AI ethics, regulation of digital platforms.

Remember this

  • Article 50 of EU AI Act mandates disclosure.
  • €15 million or 3% turnover penalty.
  • C2PA metadata standards.
  • Three EU harmonized AI icons.

Madanapalle Zero Waste City Model

Madanapalle Municipality in Andhra Pradesh is emerging as a Zero Waste City under SBM-U 2.0. The model emphasizes source segregation, decentralized processing, recycling, and legacy waste remediation.

Quick highlights

  • Implemented under SBM-U 2.0.
  • Source segregation into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, upcycling.
  • MRFs and composting for decentralized processing.
  • Bio-mining for legacy waste.
  • Promotes circular economy.

Context

Madanapalle adopted an integrated scientific solid waste management model under SBM-U 2.0.

Key Facts

Includes composting, vermicomposting, MRFs, co-processing in cement plants, and RRR centres for reuse.

Significance

Reduces landfill dependency, improves sanitation, and supports sustainable urban development.

Challenges / Way Forward

Requires sustained citizen participation, decentralized infrastructure expansion, and monitoring.

Exam Angle

GS II & III: Urban governance, solid waste management, circular economy.

Remember this

  • SBM-U 2.0 framework.
  • Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs).
  • Bio-mining for landfill remediation.
  • RRR Centres promote reuse.

e-Zero FIR System for Cybercrime

The e-Zero FIR system enables automatic registration of cyber financial crime FIRs irrespective of jurisdiction. Operational across 18 States/UTs, it integrates NCRP, CCTNS, and I4C systems.

Quick highlights

  • Developed by I4C under MHA.
  • Enabled under BNSS Section 173(1).
  • Integrated with NCRP, 1930 helpline, CCTNS.
  • 3-day conversion window.
  • Allows immediate lien on suspect accounts.

Context

Operationalized in 18 States/UTs with over 12,000 e-Zero FIRs registered.

Key Facts

Automatically triggers FIRs beyond financial thresholds; routes to territorial cyber police stations; enables immediate fund freezing.

Significance

Reduces jurisdictional delays and increases chances of recovering defrauded funds.

Challenges / Way Forward

Requires coordination across states, awareness among citizens, and strong cyber forensic capacity.

Exam Angle

GS II & III: Internal security, cybercrime, criminal justice reforms (BNSS 2023).

Remember this

  • I4C under MHA.
  • BNSS Section 173(1).
  • Helpline 1930.
  • Integrated with CCTNS.

India’s Hepatitis Elimination Efforts

India accelerated interventions under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Hepatitis includes five viral strains (A–E) with varying transmission modes and complications.

Quick highlights

  • Five strains: A, B, C, D, E.
  • B and C cause majority of chronic deaths.
  • HDV infects only with HBV.
  • Vaccines for HAV, HBV, HEV; DAAs cure >95% HCV.
  • 304 million live with chronic HBV/HCV globally.

Context

India aims to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030 under NVHCP.

Key Facts

Enteric (A,E) via fecal-oral route; Parenteral (B,C,D) via blood/body fluids. Chronic cases lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Significance

Hepatitis B and C cause over 1.3 million deaths annually worldwide.

Challenges / Way Forward

High undiagnosed burden; need for screening, vaccination, safe injection practices, and DAA access.

Exam Angle

GS II: Public health; Prelims: transmission modes, vaccines, HDV satellite nature.

Remember this

  • Five strains A–E.
  • HDV requires HBV.
  • DAAs cure >95% HCV.
  • 1.3 million global deaths annually.

RBI’s ₹10 and ₹20 Polymer Note Trials

The Union Government approved RBI’s proposal to conduct field trials of polymer-based ₹10 and ₹20 notes. The initiative will run alongside existing cotton-paper currency.

Quick highlights

  • Field trials for ₹10 and ₹20 denominations.
  • Opacified polymer substrate.
  • Manufactured by BRBNMPL.
  • To circulate alongside paper notes.

Context

RBI received approval to pilot polymer currency notes.

Key Facts

Regulator: RBI; Manufacturing arm: BRBNMPL. Polymer notes to be tested in circulation conditions.

Significance

Polymer notes are generally more durable and resistant to wear compared to cotton-paper notes.

Challenges / Way Forward

Requires cost assessment, public acceptance, and evaluation of long-term performance.

Exam Angle

GS III: Indian economy, currency management, RBI functions.

Remember this

  • Denominations: ₹10 and ₹20.
  • BRBNMPL manufactures notes.
  • Polymer substrate pilot.

New Findings on the Andromeda Galaxy

Recent findings have highlighted new insights about the Andromeda Galaxy, the nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way. The developments add to understanding of galactic structure and evolution.

Quick highlights

  • Nearest major galaxy to Milky Way.
  • Part of Local Group.
  • Important for galactic evolution studies.

Context

Astronomical observations have provided new insights into the Andromeda Galaxy’s structure.

Key Facts

Also known as Messier 31 (M31); located in the Local Group along with the Milky Way.

Significance

Helps scientists understand galaxy formation, dynamics, and potential future Milky Way-Andromeda interaction.

Challenges / Way Forward

Requires advanced telescopic observations and computational modelling for deeper insights.

Exam Angle

Prelims: Local Group, M31; GS III: Space science developments.

Remember this

  • Andromeda = M31.
  • Nearest major galaxy.
  • Member of Local Group.

Geographical Significance of Ghana

Ghana’s geographical features and location in West Africa hold strategic and economic importance. The topic highlights key aspects relevant for geography and international affairs preparation.

Quick highlights

  • Located in West Africa.
  • Coastal access to Gulf of Guinea.
  • Relevant for map-based questions.

Context

Ghana featured in current affairs due to its geographical and strategic importance.

Key Facts

Situated in West Africa along the Gulf of Guinea; important for regional trade and connectivity.

Significance

Strategic coastal position and role in West African geopolitics.

Challenges / Way Forward

Regional security and economic integration remain important considerations.

Exam Angle

Prelims: Map location in West Africa; GS I: World Geography.

Remember this

  • Located in West Africa.
  • Coast on Gulf of Guinea.

General knowledge

The Fields Medal 2026 and Laureates

The 2026 Fields Medal was awarded to Yu Deng, John Pardon, Jacob Tsimerman, and Hong Wang at the International Congress of Mathematicians. Hong Wang became only the third woman in the medal’s history to receive the honour.

Quick highlights

  • Awarded every four years by IMU.
  • Established in 1936 by J.C. Fields.
  • Age limit under 40 years.
  • 2026 awardees: Deng, Pardon, Tsimerman, Wang.

Context

Announced at the International Congress of Mathematicians.

Key Facts

Administered by International Mathematical Union; funded by J.C. Fields Trust; strict age cap under 40.

Significance

Recognizes groundbreaking contributions and future promise in mathematics.

Challenges / Way Forward

Encourages diversity and broader participation in advanced mathematical research.

Exam Angle

Prelims: Administering body, frequency, age criteria.

Remember this

  • Established 1936.
  • Awarded every 4 years.
  • Age below 40.
  • IMU administers.

All editions · UPSC current affairs · SSC current affairs · Banking current affairs · Railway current affairs · State PSC current affairs · Defence current affairs · Teaching current affairs