Daily Current Affairs

Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, inaugurated a 1 MW Green Hydrogen Power Plant at Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), located in Kandla, Gujarat.

Key highlights:

• This unit represents the first phase of a larger 10 MW Green Hydrogen Plant
• Foundation was laid by PM Modi in Bhuj on May 26, 2025
• The 1 MW plant was completed and made operational within just four months

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has lifted a 28-year-old ban on traditional heritage sports.

Sports now permitted:

• Bullock cart races
• Dog races
• Horse races
• Pigeon racing

The initiative aims to restore Punjab’s rich cultural legacy and reconnect the youth with traditional practices through monitored revival.

India and Morocco have entered into two significant accords:

• Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT)
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

Focus areas:

• Enhancing collaboration in civil and commercial legal matters
• Promoting mutual institutional support between the legal frameworks of both nations

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) rolled out updated rules for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) operations to improve app performance and safeguard users. These guidelines are mandatory for platforms such as Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm.

Balance Enquiry Rules:

• Each app can process up to 50 balance check requests per user per day
• Requests may be limited during high-traffic periods
• Balance information will be shown automatically after every transaction

Autopayment Rules:

• Recurring deductions processed only during non-peak hours: Before 10 AM, Between 1 PM to 5 PM, After 9:30 PM
• Peak-hour scheduled autopayments will be rescheduled
• Failed attempts will be retried before final cancellation

Bank Details Access:

• Users can view linked bank accounts up to 25 times a day
• Access requires selecting the issuer bank within the UPI app

Transaction Status Updates:

• Unconfirmed payments reflect status quickly during peak hours
• Users may check status only 3 times with mandatory 90-second interval

Recipient Transparency:

• Recipient’s name and transaction ID shown before completion
• Reduces chances of error and fraud

Compliance: Non-adherence may attract penalties, API access restrictions, or suspension of new user onboarding.

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, AVSM, NM, assumed office as the 47th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) on August 1, 2025.

On taking charge, he honored fallen soldiers by laying a floral wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.

Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh will take over as the next Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) on August 1, 2025, succeeding Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani.

Career highlights:

• Alumnus of the Indian Military Academy
• Commissioned into the 4 Para (Special Forces) in 1987
• Served in major operations: Operation Pawan, Meghdoot, Rakshak, and Orchid
• International peacekeeping experience under UN in Lebanon and Sri Lanka

Dr. A Rajarajan has been named Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, effective August 1, 2025.

He succeeds Dr. S Unnikrishnan Nair and brings close to 40 years of expertise in composite technology and rocket systems.

His appointment is expected to bolster India’s space exploration goals and foster further private sector participation.

National Mountain Climbing Day is celebrated annually on August 1.

Significance:

• Promotes the health, mental, and ecological benefits of mountain climbing
• Pays tribute to pioneering Indian climbers: Avatar Singh Cheema and Bachendri Pal
• Recognizes mountains as crucial resources for water, biodiversity, and climate stability

World Lung Cancer Day is observed on August 1 to highlight the global need for lung cancer awareness, prevention, and early diagnosis.

Causes of lung cancer:

• Smoking
• Air pollution
• Genetics
• Workplace exposure

Widespread education and proactive screening are critical to reducing mortality rates.

KPAC Rajendran, a respected veteran of Malayalam theatre and television, died at the age of 74 in Alappuzha on July 31, 2025.

Notable works:

• Rose to fame with his performance in “Ningalenne Communistakki”
• Played Padavalam Kuttanpillai in the TV serial Uppum Mulakum

He was a pivotal figure in the Kerala People’s Arts Club (KPAC) and remained dedicated to the arts and social causes until his final days. Tributes poured in from cultural and political figures, including Binoy Viswam.

Lord Meghnad Desai, noted economist, academic, and member of the British House of Lords, passed away at the age of 85.

Key achievements:

• Born in 1940
• Professor Emeritus at the London School of Economics
• Padma Bhushan awardee (2008)
• Authored influential books including The Poverty of Political Economy (2022)
• Founded the Gandhi Statue Memorial Trust

He significantly contributed to strengthening Indo-British relations and global economic thought.

German Olympian Laura Dahlmeier tragically died in a mountaineering mishap on Laila Peak in Pakistan at the age of 31.

Despite a rescue effort, the remote nature of the accident site prevented her survival. The sports world mourns the loss of a remarkable athlete and adventurer.