TNPSC Current Affairs July 21, 2026: 20 Events for Group 1/2/4
📰 Daily Current Affairs
July 21, 2026 (Tuesday)
Comprehensive compilation for TNPSC Group 1, 2, 2A & 4 | 20 Important Topics Covered
Welcome to today’s TNPSC Daily Current Affairs for July 21, 2026.
This comprehensive compilation covers all important events across national politics,
international relations, science & technology, economy, sports, and more.
Sourced from The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, and other reputed media.
Perfect for TNPSC Group 1, Group 2, Group 2A, and Group 4 exam preparation.
📅 Weekly revision hub: For exam-focused consolidation and MCQs for this week,
open the TNPSC weekly current affairs compilation →
📌 Read in Tamil: தமிழில் படிக்க இங்கே கிளிக் செய்யவும்
📝 Total Topics: 18 important events covered
📚 Exam Relevance: TNPSC Group 1, 2, 2A, 4 | SSC | UPSC Prelims
📰 Sources: The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB
Table of Contents
- 🏛️ National Politics & Government
- 1. NITI Aayog Launched a 10-year Roadmap Targets USD 691 bn Bioeconomy by 2035
- 2. Creation of New Institutions:
- 3. L-G VK Saxena Commissions India’s First 2 Geothermal Wells in Ladakh
- 4. MoHUA Approves Rs 2,719.80 Crore for 6 Urban Development Projects in Ahmedabad Under UCF
- 5. EPFO Launches VISHWAS, 2026 for Settlement of Penalty-Related Disputes
- 6. CGPDTM Signs MoU With CSIR-NIScPR To Join
- 7. NIELIT to Establish Two
- 8. AP Signs MoU with UN-Habitat to Promote Sustainable Urban Development
- 9. Uttar Pradesh Launches
- 💰 Economy & Banking
- 10. RBI’s FI Index Rises to 70 in FY26;
- 11. AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
- 12. 72nd National Film Award for the Year 2024: ‘Article 370’ Named Best Feature Film award
- 13. APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
- 🏏 Sports
- 14. Japan Open 2026: India’s PV Sindhu Wins Women’s Singles Title; France’s Christo Popov Claims Men’s Singles
- 15. Spain Clinches Second FIFA World Cup Title, Beats Argentina in 2026 Final
- 16. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Unveils
- 🌿 Environment & Geography
- 17. New Damselfly Species
- 📘 General Knowledge & Miscellaneous
- 18. World Chess Day 2026 – July 20
- 📝 Practice Questions (MCQs)
- Q1. In which year did the following take place? — “tsIn July _____, a team of Indian odonatologists discovered a new species of spreadwingdamselfly‘Lestes paloti’from the Western Ghats in Kerala, which”
- Q2. In which year did the following take place? — “, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the composite data on the Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) for the financial year _____-26 (FY26), whic”
- Q3. In which year did the following take place? — “pmentIn July _____, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government launched theKaushal SetuandKaushal Sarathiportals to modernise the state’s skill development eco”
- Q4. In which year did the following take place? — “cially known as the Daihatsu Japan Open _____), the43rdedition of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 750 tournament held at Tokyo Metropolitan”
- Q5. In which year did the following take place? — “80 Crore for 6 Urban Development Projects in Ahmedabad Under UCFIn July _____, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA)approved projects worth”
🏛️ National Politics & Government
1. NITI Aayog Launched a 10-year Roadmap Targets USD 691 bn Bioeconomy by 2035
- What happened: NITI Aayog Launched a 10-year Roadmap Targets USD 691 bn Bioeconomy by 2035In July 2026, the National Institution for Transforming India(NITI Aayog)launched the“Roadmap for Building India as a Leading Bioeconomy Powerhouse by 2035” at the National Media Centre, New Delhi, Delhi. Key Details of Roadmap:Developed:The newly released roadmap was developed by NITI Frontier Tech Hub(NITI-FTH)in consultation with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) which works under MoST; Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), industry, academia and other stakeholders.Key Target:To scale India’s Bioeconomy toUSD 691 billion (by 2035)andUSD 2.6 trillion (by 2047);generateover 30 millionhigh-value jobs; and position the country among the world’s top 3 biotechnology powers.Six National BioMissions:In order to achieve its set goal by 2035,the roadmap recommends the creation ofsix National BioMissions: GeneIndia, AgriBio 2.0, BioX Foundry, One Health Grid, Marine Biotechnology and BioPharmaNext.
- Key details: Key Proposal: To create Rs 50,000 crore BioEconomy Growth Fund for 2026-2035 from within the existing Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) frameowork.
- Key points: The roadmap was formally launched by theUnion Minister of State (MoS)(Independent Charge, IC)Dr. Jitendra Singh,Ministry of Science & Technology (MoST), in the presence of Prof. Gobardhan Das, Member, NITI Aayog; Nidhi Chhibber, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog; among others.; These National BioMissions aimed to strengthen India’s capabilities in advanced therapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, synthetic biology, pandemic preparedness, marine bio-technology and next-generation (NextGen).; The proposed fund is expected to support scale-up, commercialization, biomanufacturing infrastructure, advanced therapeutics, fermentation platforms, biomaterials, diagnostics and synthetic biology.
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.
2. Creation of New Institutions:
- What happened: Creation of New Institutions:It also proposes to create several new institutions like: an Empowered Committee on National BioMissions;.
- Key points: A National BioData Council to oversee biological and health data governance;; A BioEconomy Investment and Policy Forum to align government and private investment;; A BioIP and Innovation Evaluation Agency to help value biotechnology intellectual property and accelerate commercialisation.
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.
3. L-G VK Saxena Commissions India’s First 2 Geothermal Wells in Ladakh
- What happened: L-G VK Saxena Commissions India’s First 2 Geothermal Wells in LadakhIn July 2026,VK Saxena, Lieutenant Governor (Lt Gov) of Ladakh,commissioned India’sfirstanddeepest two 1,000metre(m)geothermal wellsat Puga Valley in Ladakh, executed by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) Energy Centre. About Geothermal Power Project:Evaluation:Pilot projects evaluate drilling, fluid behavior, thermal profiles, and energy conversion mechanisms before full-scale deployment.Impact:The successful completion of the two wells would facilitate critical reservoir evaluation, power plant planning, and the eventual commercial development of geothermal resources in Ladakh.
- Key points: These two geothermal wells are critical to the successful implementation of a 1 Megawatt (MW) Pilot Geothermal Power Plant at Puga Valley, located at an altitude of over 14,000 feet above sea level, which will beIndia’s firstdemonstration-scale geothermal power project.; At400m depth, the wells reached a maximum temperature of135°C(degrees Celsius)
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.
4. MoHUA Approves Rs 2,719.80 Crore for 6 Urban Development Projects in Ahmedabad Under UCF
- What happened: MoHUA Approves Rs 2,719.80 Crore for 6 Urban Development Projects in Ahmedabad Under UCFIn July 2026, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA)approved projects worthRs 2,719.80 crore under Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s Urban Challenge Fund(UCF) for six transformative urban development initiatives inAhmedabad, Gujarat.AboutUrban Development Projects:Projects: Funding Pattern:The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) will receive25%(Rs 679.95 crore) each from the Central Government and the Government of Gujarat, while the remaining50%(Rs 1,359.90 crore) will be mobilised through municipal bonds, loans, or Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models.
- Key points: Rs 852.93 crore for rehabilitation of the main sewerage network in West Ahmedabad,; Rs 551.35 crore for the East Ahmedabad sewerage network,; Rs 290.24 crore for upgrading old sewerage networks across the city,; Rs 215 crore for an Intelligent Water Management System (IWMS),
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.
5. EPFO Launches VISHWAS, 2026 for Settlement of Penalty-Related Disputes
- What happened: EPFO Launches VISHWAS, 2026 for Settlement of Penalty-Related DisputesIn July 2026, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation(EPFO)under the Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E), launched’VISHWAS2026’, a one-timedispute resolution schemefor amicable settlement of damages and penalty-related disputes under section 14B of the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and Section 128 of the Code on Social Security, 2020.About VISHWAS Scheme:Applicability:VISHWAS, 2026 was notified through G.S.R. 525(E) on29 June 2026under the EPF Scheme, 2026 and will remain operational for six months from the date of notification.Coverage:The scheme covers cases where penalty/damages orders are under judicial challenge and final orders with pending or partial recovery, including Revenue Recovery Certificates(RRC)cases.
- Key details: Implementation:EPFO has establishedVISHWAS Cellsfor smooth implementation.
- Key points: It also covers cases where notices have been issued but final orders are pending and cases where penalty/damages notices are yet to be issued.
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.
6. CGPDTM Signs MoU With CSIR-NIScPR To Join
- What happened: CGPDTM Signs MoU With CSIR-NIScPR To JoinNational Knowledge Resource ConsortiumIn July 2026, the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) and the CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research)-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable CGPDTM’s participation in the National Knowledge Resource Consortium(NKRC). KeyDetailsof MoU:Access:Under the MoU, CGPDTM will gain access to the NKRC digital knowledge platform, which provides a wide range of international scientific journals, e-books, databases, and other scholarly resources.Purpose:The agreement will strengthen research, innovation and intellectual property administration by providing patent professionals and researchers with a broader range of high-quality digital knowledge resources.NKRC: Managed by the CSIR-NIScPR, the NKRC secures national-level licences for international e-journals, patent databases, standards, bibliographic databases, and other scientific resources, providing member institutions with cost-effective access to global knowledge and research tools.
- Key points: The MoU was formally signed byProf. (Dr.) Unnat P. Pandit,CGPDTM, andDr. Geeta Vani Rayasam, Director, CSIR-NIScPR at Saraswati Hall, Bouddhik Sampada Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.; NKRC currently serves82 member institutions, including organizations under CSIR, the Department of Science & Technology (DST), and the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.
7. NIELIT to Establish Two
- What happened: NIELIT to Establish TwoCoE’sfor Semiconductor Skilling in Ahmedabad and GuwahatiIn July 2026, The National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology(NIELIT)announced that it will establish two Centres of Excellence(CoEs)inAhmedabad(Gujarat) andGuwahati(Assam) to strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem through specialised skill development. Key Highlights:Infrastructure:NIELIT will establish twoCoEsto provide training in Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test(OSAT)and Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging(ATMP)technologies.Skilling:NIELIT has partnered with Tata Electronics, Infineon, and Semiconductor Complex Limited (SCL), Mohali, and will introduce Bachelor of Technology (BTech), Master of Technology (MTech), and diploma programmes in semiconductors to build a skilled workforce.AI:Under the India AI Mission, NIELIT has established28Artificial Intelligence (AI) Labs, operates 42 AI-focused programmes, and has trained over20,000 individuals, particularly in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.About NIELIT:Established in 1994 as the Department of Electronics Accreditation of Computer Courses (DOEACC) Society and renamed NIELIT in 2011.
- Key details: It is headquartered in New Delhi(Delhi) and functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
- Key points: The initiative supports the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0, which was approved with an outlay of Rs. 1.28 lakh crore, and aims to create a skilled workforce in semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging technologies.
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.
8. AP Signs MoU with UN-Habitat to Promote Sustainable Urban Development
- What happened: AP Signs MoU with UN-Habitat to Promote Sustainable Urban DevelopmentIn July 2026, the Government of Andhra Pradesh(AP)signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU)with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme(UN-Habitat)to establish a long-term partnership for promoting sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient urban development in the state. Highlights of the UN-Habitat:Partnership:The Municipal Administration Department signed an MoU with UN-Habitat to promote inclusive and sustainable urban development across AP.Focus:The partnership will establish a CoE for Urban Affairs in Amaravati to support urban planning, climate-resilient cities, digital governance, municipal finance, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Initiatives:The collaboration will strengthen the state’s Sustainable Urban Revitalisation and Growth Enhancement Andhra Pradesh (SURGE AP), Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Environment Andhra Pradesh (RISE AP), UPLIFT AP, and Zero Poverty vision through the P4 Programme.Dignitaries Present:The MoU was signed in the presence of N.
- Key details: Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister (CM) of AP, and Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), who participated virtually from Singapore.
- Key points: The partnership aims to establish a Centre of Excellence(CoE)for Urban Affairs in Amaravati.
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.
9. Uttar Pradesh Launches
- What happened: Uttar Pradesh LaunchesKaushal Setu and Kaushal Sarathi Portals for Skill DevelopmentIn July 2026, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government launched theKaushal SetuandKaushal Sarathiportals to modernise the state’s skill development ecosystem and improve access to training opportunities. About Digital Initiatives:Kaushal Setu:This will serve as the official digital portal of Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM), where training partners can register and apply online.Kaushal Sarathi:The platform provides digital guides to training centers, available courses and training partners available in the UP state.
- Key details: MoUs Signed:During the launch, the UPSDM signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with KLK Private Limited and Winsome Textile Industries Limited to provide skill training and placement opportunities in robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the textile sector. *******.
- Key points: The portals were launched during the state-level celebrations of World Youth Skills Day 2026(July 15) at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow, UP.; It provides district-wise details of training centres, courses, and Training partners.
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.
💰 Economy & Banking
10. RBI’s FI Index Rises to 70 in FY26;
- What happened: RBI’s FI Index Rises to 70 in FY26;Issues Final Prudential Normson SNFAIn July 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the composite data on the Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) for the financial year 2025-26 (FY26), which increased to70in March 2026 from 67 in March 2025. Norms on SNFA:Direction:In July 2026, the RBI issued final prudential norms under the’ Resolution of Stressed Assets Directions, 2025’, prohibiting Regulated Entities(REs) from sellingSNFAback to defaulting borrowers.Restriction:Under the revised norms, Regulated Entities (REs) cannot transfer SNFAs to the defaulting borrower, its promoters, related parties, or entities acting on the borrower’s behalf.
- Key points: The RBI also issued new “Prudential Norms on SpecifiedNon FinancialAsset (SNFA) acquired by Regulated Entities“,tightening norms governing the resolution of distressed loans. The new framework will come into effect fromOctober 1, 2026.
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.
11. AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
- What happened: AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS.
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.
12. 72nd National Film Award for the Year 2024: ‘Article 370’ Named Best Feature Film award
- What happened: 72nd National Film Award for the Year 2024: ‘Article 370’ Named Best Feature Film awardIn July 2026, The jury of the72nd National Film Awardsannounced the list of winners of the National Award for the year2024, recognising excellence across feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema. Key Winners:Best Feature Film:Article 370,directed byAdityaSuhasJambhale,was named as the Best Feature Film award for 2024.
- Key details: In addition, the film won two more awards in “Best Actress” and “Best Music Direction” categories.Best Actor:Renowned Malayalam Actor Mammootty and Actor Kartik Aaryan were jointly named as the Best Actor in Leading for their acclaimed performance in Bramayugam (Malayalam film) andHindi sports drama Chandu Champion, respectively. Best Actress:This year, renowned actressYamiGautambagged the “Best Actress” for the Hindi film (Article 370), marking her career 1st-ever National Film Award. She will be honoured with a silver lotus award and a cash prize of Rs.
- Key points: The awards were announced by Jayaraj,Chairperson of Feature Film Jury; Aseem Sinha, Chairperson of Non-Feature Film Jury; and A. Chandrasekhar, Chairperson of Best Writing on Cinema Jury, in New Delhi, Delhi.; With this honour, Mammootty won his 4th National Film Award after Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha and Mathilukkal (1989), Ponthan Mada and Vidheyan (1994) and Dr. Ambedkar (1999).; The actors will share the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus award) and the cash prize of Rs. 2 lakhs.
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.
13. APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
- What happened: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS MoRAppoints RahulHimalianas Additional CMD of IRCTCIn July 2026, the Ministry of Railways(MoR)appointedRahulHimalian, Director (Tourism & Marketing), Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited(IRCTC),as theadditionalChairman & Managing Director(CMD)of IRCTC following the resignation ofSanjay Kumar Jain. About RahulHimalian:Profile:A 1999-batch Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer, Rahul Himalian has over 26 years of experience in Indian Railways and IRCTC and has served as a Whole-Time Functional Director on the IRCTC Board since 16 February 2024.Recognition: He was awarded thePresident’s Gold Medal for being the Best All-Round Student.Current Role:He has been serving as a Whole-Time Functional Director on the Board of IRCTC since 16 February 2024 and heads key areas including Tourism, Information Technology, Human Resource Development, Infrastructure, Administration, and Rajbhasha.About IRCTC:Established in 1999, IRCTC is a Schedule ‘A’ Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the MoR, providing railway ticketing, catering, tourism, and hospitality services.
- Key details: It is headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi.
- Key points: His appointment as additional CMD of IRCTC will take effect from 20 July 2026, while he will continue to hold the post of Director (Tourism & Marketing), IRCTC.
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.
🏏 Sports
14. Japan Open 2026: India’s PV Sindhu Wins Women’s Singles Title; France’s Christo Popov Claims Men’s Singles
- What happened: Japan Open 2026: India’s PV Sindhu Wins Women’s Singles Title; France’s Christo Popov Claims Men’s SinglesThe2026 Japan Open(officially known as the Daihatsu Japan Open 2026), the43rdedition of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 750 tournament held at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan, from 14 to 19 July 2026.2026 Winners:Women’s Singles:Pusarla Venkata(PV) Sindhu, India’s two-time Olympic medallist, won her maiden Japan Openwomen’s singles titleby defeating Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in the final.Men’s Singles:France’sChristo Popovclaimed the Japan Open 2026 Men’s Singles title with a 21-11, 21-19 victory over Japan’s Koki Watanabe.Men’s Doubles:Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (Indonesia) defeated Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae (South Korea).Women’s Doubles:Kim Hye-jeong and Kong Hee-yong (South Korea) defeated Jia Yifan and Zhang Shuxian (China).Mixed Doubles:Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping (China) defeated Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet (Hong Kong).
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Sports Current Affairs. Awards and achievements of sportspersons.
15. Spain Clinches Second FIFA World Cup Title, Beats Argentina in 2026 Final
- What happened: Spain Clinches Second FIFA World Cup Title, Beats Argentina in 2026 FinalThe International Federation of Association Football(FIFA) World Cup 2026, the23rdedition of the men’s FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international men’s football championship held on11 June to 19 July 2026, and co-hosted across 16 host cities in the United States of America (USA) (11), Mexico (3), and Canada (2). AboutFIFA World Cup 2026:Format:The 2026 FIFA World Cup featured an expanded 48-team format with 12 groups of four teams, a 104-match schedule, and a new Round of 32 involving the top two teams from each group along with the eight best third-placed teams.Awards & Records:Spain’s Rodri won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, while France’s Kylian Mbappé claimed his second consecutive Golden Boot with 10 goals.
- Key points: Spainsecured their second FIFA World Cup title by defeating defending championsArgentina1–0 after extra time in the 2026 final, held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, with substitute Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute.; Argentina’s Lionel Messi, aged 39, became the oldest outfield player to start a FIFA World Cup final and the first player to start three FIFA World Cup finals, finishing with 8 goals, 4 assists, and the Silver Ball, while Spain’s Unai Simón set a FIFA World Cup record by keeping 7 clean sheets in 8 matches, conceding just one goal.
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Sports Current Affairs. Awards and achievements of sportspersons.
16. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Unveils
- What happened: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Unveils‘Peacko’ As Official Mascot For BWF World Championships 2026On 18 July 2026, Union MinisterMansukhMandaviya,Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) along with Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Badminton Association of India (BAI) president-cum- Chief Minister(CM) of Assam,unveiled the official mascot‘Peacko’and launched the championshipanthemfor the Badminton World Federation(BWF) World Championships2026,in New Delhi, Delhi.About Mascot:Mascot:The official mascot‘Peacko’, inspired by theIndian Peafowl,and the championship anthem featuring India’s 16-member contingent were unveiled to showcase the spirit and unity of Indian badminton.Anthem:The official anthem featuringIndia’s 16-memberWorld Championships contingent, including PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Ayush Shetty, Unnati Hooda, Gayatri Gopichand, and Treesa Jolly, was launched to showcase the energy, ambition, and unity of Indian badminton.Tournament:The30th editionof the BWF World Championships scheduled to be held from 17–23 August 2026 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, featuring 400+ shuttlers from over 50 countries.About BAI:Established in 1934 and headquartered in New Delhi, the BAI is the national governing body for badminton in India, responsible for promoting and regulating the sport.
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Sports Current Affairs. Awards and achievements of sportspersons.
🌿 Environment & Geography
17. New Damselfly Species
- What happened: New Damselfly Species‘Lestes paloti’Discovered in Kerala’s Western GhatsIn July 2026, a team of Indian odonatologists discovered a new species of spreadwingdamselfly‘Lestes paloti’from the Western Ghats in Kerala, which belongs to Lestidae family under the order Odonata. AboutLestes paloti:Naming:The species was named in honour ofDr.
- Key details: Muhamed Jafer Palotof the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kozhikode, recognising his extensive contributions to Indian odonatology and documentation of Western Ghats fauna.Locations:The species has been recorded across 6 districts in Kerala: Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad, and Ernakulam.Habitat:Unlike most related damselflies that remain near open water, Lestes paloti prefers scrub vegetation around homesteads and laterite hillocks, often far from visible water bodies.Characteristics:It is brown in dry season and bluish in monsoon, and validated as a unique species through detailed male genital examination.Significance:Resolved decades-long misidentification with Lestes nodalis and marked thefirstnew Lestes species discovered in the Western Ghats in 97 years, increasing Kerala’s odonate species count to 192.
- Key points: The discovery has been published in theInternational Journal of Odonatology, an internationally reputed peer-reviewed journal dedicated to research on dragonflies and damselflies.
- Why it matters for TNPSC: Environment & Ecology (GS Paper 3). Conservation and geography.
📘 General Knowledge & Miscellaneous
18. World Chess Day 2026 – July 20
- What happened: World Chess Day 2026 – July 20The United Nations (UN) observesWorld Chess Day(International Chess Day) annually on 20 July to celebrate chess as one of the world’s oldest intellectual games and its role in promoting education, peace, inclusion, and global cooperation. Background:Origin:The idea of celebrating International Chess Day was first proposed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO).FIDE Celebration:Since1966, FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs / International Chess Federation) has observed 20 July annually as International Chess Day.UN Recognition:On 12 December2019, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/74/22, officially proclaiming 20 July as World Chess Day.
- Key details: The resolution was introduced by Armenia and co-sponsored by 52 countries.First UN Observance:The first United Nations-recognised World Chess Day was officially observed on20 July 2020.
- Key points: The day also marks the founding ofFIDE(Fédération Internationale des Échecs / International Chess Federation) on 20 July1924in Paris, France.; 2026 Theme:“Celebrate, create and make a difference”
- Why it matters for TNPSC: General Knowledge. Important for TNPSC prelims.
📝 Practice Questions (MCQs)
Test your knowledge with these questions based on today’s current affairs. Each question has one correct answer — click to reveal it after you decide.
Q1. In which year did the following take place? — “tsIn July _____, a team of Indian odonatologists discovered a new species of spreadwingdamselfly‘Lestes paloti’from the Western Ghats in Kerala, which”
(a) 2018
(b) 2026
(c) 2022
(d) 2032
Click to see Answer
Answer: (b) 2026
Explanation: The correct year is 2026. Source: New Damselfly Species
Q2. In which year did the following take place? — “, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the composite data on the Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) for the financial year _____-26 (FY26), whic”
(a) 2025
(b) 2017
(c) 2031
(d) 2021
Click to see Answer
Answer: (a) 2025
Explanation: The correct year is 2025. Source: RBI’s FI Index Rises to 70 in FY26;
Q3. In which year did the following take place? — “pmentIn July _____, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government launched theKaushal SetuandKaushal Sarathiportals to modernise the state’s skill development eco”
(a) 2018
(b) 2032
(c) 2026
(d) 2022
Click to see Answer
Answer: (c) 2026
Explanation: The correct year is 2026. Source: Uttar Pradesh Launches
Q4. In which year did the following take place? — “cially known as the Daihatsu Japan Open _____), the43rdedition of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 750 tournament held at Tokyo Metropolitan”
(a) 2032
(b) 2026
(c) 2022
(d) 2018
Click to see Answer
Answer: (b) 2026
Explanation: The correct year is 2026. Source: Japan Open 2026: India’s PV Sindhu Wins Women’s Singles Title; France’s Christo Popov Claims Men’s Singles
Q5. In which year did the following take place? — “80 Crore for 6 Urban Development Projects in Ahmedabad Under UCFIn July _____, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA)approved projects worth”
(a) 2026
(b) 2018
(c) 2032
(d) 2022
Click to see Answer
Answer: (a) 2026
Explanation: The correct year is 2026. Source: MoHUA Approves Rs 2,719.80 Crore for 6 Urban Development Projects in Ahmedabad Under UCF
🔄 தமிழில் படிக்க / Read in Tamil
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