Saturday, 1 August 2026 Current Affairs, GK Notes & MCQ Quiz
Key updates cover reforms for a humane education system, Western Ghats ESA deadlock, major Cabinet approvals in energy and sports, and India’s expanding digital payment footprint. Prelims focus areas include pellet guns and Broad Peak.
Topics in this edition
- The Need for a Humane Education System (own page)
- Social Media – A Double-Edged Sword (own page)
- Samudra Manthan – National Offshore Exploration Scheme (own page)
- Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) (own page)
- Revamped Khelo India Scheme (own page)
- Favara–UPI India–Maldives Cross-Border Payment Corridor (own page)
- Pellet Guns in India (own page)
- Broad Peak – Geographical Significance (own page)
Current affairs
The Need for a Humane Education System
Amid youth-led protests, a commentary advocates replacing single high-stakes entrance exams with multi-dimensional competency-based evaluation. It calls for decentralized admissions, stronger exam security, coaching regulation and mental health safeguards.
Quick highlights
- Critique of single-shot centralized exams.
- Rising mental health concerns and student suicides.
- Call for multi-dimensional assessments and decentralized admissions.
- Regulation of coaching industry and exam security reforms.
Context
Following protests demanding reforms, debate has intensified over replacing high-stakes entrance tests with holistic evaluation models safeguarding student well-being.
Key Facts
Issues include centralized exam flaws, logistical vulnerabilities like paper leaks, exploitative coaching ecosystem, and reductionist merit definitions focused on speed and memorization.
Significance
Reforms can align education with aptitude, reduce inequality, prevent psychological distress, and broaden career pathways beyond traditional professions.
Challenges / Way Forward
Adopt moderated school scores, aptitude tests, interviews and project portfolios; decentralize admissions under UGC norms; strengthen encrypted paper systems; regulate coaching fees; expand counseling in regional languages.
Exam Angle
GS II: Education reforms and governance. Essay: Merit vs equity. Link with RTE Act, 2009 and learning outcomes debate.
Remember this
- Centralized exams create systemic vulnerability to leaks.
- UGC can frame broad admission guidelines.
- RTE Act, 2009 improved access but learning gaps persist.
- Holistic assessments include portfolios and interviews.
Samudra Manthan – National Offshore Exploration Scheme
The Union Cabinet approved Samudra Manthan, a ₹84,084 crore Central Sector Scheme to boost offshore oil and gas exploration until FY 2030–31. It aims to de-risk deepwater drilling and enhance India’s energy security.
Quick highlights
- Outlay: ₹84,084 crore till FY 2030–31.
- ₹43,200 crore for deepwater drilling subsidy.
- ₹28,534 crore for seismic data acquisition.
- Targets addition of 600 MMTOE reserves.
Context
Cabinet approved the National Offshore Exploration Scheme under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Key Facts
Central Sector Scheme with 100% central funding; includes shared evacuation hubs, manufacturing zones, and digital governance via National Data Repository.
Significance
Reduces import dependence, strengthens energy security, promotes Make in India in offshore technologies, and attracts investment in KG, Cauvery, Mahanadi and Andaman basins.
Challenges / Way Forward
High capital risk in ultra-deepwater drilling; need for technological capability, environmental safeguards and efficient data utilization.
Exam Angle
Prelims: Central Sector Scheme, MMTOE, offshore basins. Mains: Energy security and import dependence.
Remember this
- ₹84,084 crore total outlay.
- Implementation till FY 2030–31.
- 600 MMTOE reserve target.
- Ministry: Petroleum & Natural Gas.
Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY)
The Cabinet approved PM-SSY with ₹5,070 crore outlay to expand floating solar capacity by 5,000 MW with 10,000 MWh storage. The scheme aims to reduce land conflicts and enhance renewable reliability.
Quick highlights
- Outlay: ₹5,070 crore.
- Target: 5,000 MW floating solar + 10,000 MWh storage.
- Nodal Ministry: MNRE; Implementing Agency: SECI.
- ₹1 crore per MW CFA support.
Context
Cabinet approved PM-SSY to promote floating solar projects co-located with battery storage.
Key Facts
Targets expansion from ~700 MW to 5,700 MW by FY 2030–31; includes ESS with minimum 2-hour storage and project de-risking grants.
Significance
Reduces land acquisition pressures, lowers water evaporation, cuts nearly 10 million tonnes CO2 annually, and generates employment.
Challenges / Way Forward
Higher capital costs compared to ground-mounted solar; need for ecological assessments and domestic manufacturing capacity.
Exam Angle
Prelims: Floating Solar PV, MNRE, SECI. Mains: Renewable integration and energy storage.
Remember this
- 5,000 MW new floating solar target.
- 10,000 MWh storage capacity.
- ₹1 crore/MW CFA.
- MNRE nodal ministry.
Revamped Khelo India Scheme
The Cabinet approved an expanded Khelo India Scheme with a ₹36,441 crore outlay for FY 2026–31. It integrates grassroots sports, school initiatives, digital platforms and enhanced support to National Sports Federations.
Quick highlights
- Outlay: ₹36,441 crore (FY 2026–31).
- Introduces Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIAs).
- School initiatives: KIFS and KIUV.
- National Coach Accreditation Board established.
Context
Cabinet approved revamped Khelo India Scheme and enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations.
Key Facts
Originally launched 2016–17; integrates NCOEs, KISCEs, STCs and YSCs; aligned with Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 and NEP 2020.
Significance
Expands athlete base, professionalizes coaching, integrates sports with education, and strengthens international competitiveness.
Challenges / Way Forward
Ensure equitable access, sustained funding utilization, robust digital monitoring, and grassroots penetration in remote areas.
Exam Angle
Prelims: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Mains: Sports as soft power and human capital development.
Remember this
- ₹36,441 crore outlay.
- E-KIAs new category.
- NCAB for coach accreditation.
- Linked to NEP 2020.
Favara–UPI India–Maldives Cross-Border Payment Corridor
The Maldives Monetary Authority launched a real-time corridor linking Favara Instant Payment System with India’s UPI. It enables instant low-cost remittances from Maldives to India.
Quick highlights
- Real-time P2P transfers from MVR to INR.
- Implemented by MMA, RBI, and NIPL.
- Supports family and gift remittances.
- UPI accepted in 9 countries.
Context
Maldives Monetary Authority launched Favara–UPI corridor enabling seamless digital remittances.
Key Facts
Initial banks: Bank of Maldives Plc and Maldives Islamic Bank Plc; future QR-based merchant payments planned.
Significance
Strengthens bilateral ties, enhances remittance efficiency, and reinforces India’s Digital Public Infrastructure leadership.
Challenges / Way Forward
Need to ensure cybersecurity, regulatory coordination and gradual expansion to merchant payments.
Exam Angle
Prelims: NPCI International Payments Limited. Mains: Digital diplomacy and fintech cooperation.
Remember this
- Favara linked with UPI.
- Implemented with RBI and NIPL.
- 9 countries accept UPI.
- Real-time cross-border P2P.
Pellet Guns in India
The Supreme Court declined a blanket ban on pellet guns, allowing their use in exceptional crowd-control situations. The case followed allegations of pellet use against NEET-UG paper leak protesters.
Quick highlights
- SC declined blanket ban.
- Permitted in exceptional circumstances.
- Linked to crowd control situations.
- Concerns over injuries and rights.
Context
A Supreme Court Bench led by CJI Surya Kant heard pleas seeking prohibition of pellet guns after alleged use against protesters.
Key Facts
Court held pellet guns may be used in exceptional circumstances for crowd control rather than imposing a blanket ban.
Significance
Raises issues of proportionality, human rights, and standards governing use of force in democratic policing.
Challenges / Way Forward
Ensure strict guidelines, accountability, non-lethal alternatives, and human-rights compliant crowd management protocols.
Exam Angle
GS II: Fundamental rights and policing. GS III: Internal security and crowd control methods.
Remember this
- SC declined blanket ban.
- Exceptional use permitted.
- Debate tied to NEET-UG protests.
- Concerns over human rights.
General knowledge
Broad Peak – Geographical Significance
Broad Peak is one of the world’s highest mountains and part of the Karakoram Range. It is a significant geographical feature for map-based and mountain-range questions in prelims.
Quick highlights
- Located in the Karakoram Range.
- Among the world’s highest peaks.
- Part of the greater Himalayan mountain system.
- Important for map-based prelims questions.
Context
Broad Peak was highlighted as a geographical prelims topic in the daily current affairs compilation.
Key Facts
It is situated in the Karakoram Range and ranks among the tallest mountains globally.
Significance
Important for geography-based prelims questions on mountain ranges and high peaks.
Challenges / Way Forward
Focus on map practice covering Karakoram, Himalayas, and associated peaks for exam readiness.
Exam Angle
Prelims: Location-based question on Karakoram Range and major peaks.
Remember this
- Located in Karakoram Range.
- One of the world’s highest peaks.
- Relevant for map-based prelims.
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Social Media – A Double-Edged Sword
Social media democratizes information but also amplifies misinformation through algorithm-driven content. A recent tragedy in Tamil Nadu highlighted risks of unverified medical advice online.
Quick highlights
Context
A medically unassisted home birth in Tamil Nadu reportedly guided by online videos led to a fatality, raising concerns over digital misinformation.
Key Facts
Social media enables instant access to expert advice but also spreads anecdotal and sensational content rapidly due to algorithmic amplification.
Significance
Impacts maternal healthcare, institutional delivery rates, public health governance, and trust in medical professionals.
Challenges / Way Forward
Strengthen regulation, platform accountability, responsible AI moderation, and promote digital literacy and evidence-based communication.
Exam Angle
GS II: Public health and digital regulation. GS III: Social media algorithms. GS IV: Ethics of communication and informed consent.
Remember this