UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 8 July 2026

by Vajiram & Ravi - 8 July 2026

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 8 July 2026, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

Himalayan Pangolin

July 8, 2026
Himalayan Pangolin

Himalayan Pangolin Latest News

Researchers have revalidated and concluded that the Himalayan pangolin (Manis aurita) is a distinct extant species, separate from the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla). 

About Himalayan Pangolin

  • Scientific name: Its scientific name is Manis aurita
  • It went through a demographic contraction around the 14th century, coinciding with the onset of the Little Ice Age in the Himalayan region.
  • Features
    • It is significantly larger in body size and skull.
    • It paradoxically has markedly smaller ears. It also has a shorter and broader nasal bone.
    • It has enlarged olfactory bulb and turbinals, using smell to forage for ants and termites. 
  • Distribution: Its distribution is restricted to the southern Himalayan foothills, with confirmed populations in Nepal, South Tibet, and Northeast India, including the state of Assam.
  • Threats
    • It is facing illegal wildlife trade.
    • The products from this species have infiltrated regulated traditional medicine markets.
    • It is also facing an internal threat of inbreeding. 

Source: DTE

Himalayan Pangolin FAQs

Q1: What are the Major threats to Himalayan Pangolin?

Ans: Habitat degradation, illegal wildlife trade; most trafficked mammal globally for scales, skin, meat

Q2: What is the scientific name of Himalayan Pangolin?

Ans: Manis aurita

Leucine

July 8, 2026
Leucine

Leucine Latest News

Researchers said that branched chain amino acids leucine acts like a protective shield and inhibits the premature degradation of outer mitochondrial membrane proteins.  

About Leucine

  • Leucine is an essential amino acid.
  • It belongs to the family of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) such as isoleucine and valine.
  • These are needed for the growth and functioning of organs such as muscles, nervous system, the heart, and the brain.
  • BCAAs are not made in the body and need to be supplied from our diet. Without them, the outer membrane of the mitochondrion cannot be properly constructed or maintained. 
  • Functions
    • It is involved in muscle growth, tissue repair, and energy production. 
    • It acts like a protective shield and inhibits the premature degradation of outer mitochondrial membrane proteins.
    • This is done by leucine interacting with a protein called SEL1L, which has a role in recognising and pulling out damaged or misfolded proteins.

What are Amino Acids?

  • Amino acids are molecules that combine to form proteins.
  • Amino acids and proteins are the building blocks of life.
  • There are 20 different amino acids.
  • A protein consists of one or more chains of amino acids (called polypeptides) whose sequence is encoded in a gene.
  • Some amino acids can be synthesized in the body, but others (essential amino acids) cannot and must be obtained from a person’s diet.
  • The nine essential amino acids are: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

Source: TH

Leucine FAQs

Q1: What is Leucine?

Ans: Leucine is an essential amino acid and a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA)

Q2: Why is Leucine called a BCAA?

Ans: Due to its branched side chain; other 2 BCAAs are Isoleucine & Valine

Norwegian Sea

July 8, 2026
Norwegian Sea

Norwegian Sea Latest News

Recently, UK fighter jets intercepted a Russian maritime patrol aircraft after it "repeatedly approached" a carrier strike group in the Norwegian Sea.

About Norwegian Sea

  • It is a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean, bordered by Norway to the northwest, Greenland to the southeast, and Iceland to the east.
  • Borders: The Barents Sea (northeast), separated from the Atlantic Ocean in the southwest by a submarine ridge that spans from Iceland to the Faroe Islands. 
  • In the north, the Norwegian Sea is separated from the Greenland Sea by the Jan Mayen Ridge.
  • It was formed when the Eurasian Plate and the North American Plate began to separate approximately 250 million years ago. 
  • Currents
    • The warm North Atlantic current pushes the warm waters through the Norwegian Sea into the Barents Sea.
    • The cold East Iceland Current transfers the cold water from the Norwegian Sea towards Iceland.
    • This thermal mixing of the warm and cold currents creates excellent fishing grounds in the Norwegian Sea.
    • It acts as a transition zone between boreal and Arctic climatic conditions and therefore its habitat shares the characteristics from both these climates.

Source: BBC

Norwegian Sea FAQs

Q1: How was Norwegian Sea formed?

Ans: Formed when Eurasian Plate & North American Plate separated ∼250 million years ago

Q2: What is the Norwegian Sea?

Ans: A marginal sea of the North Atlantic Ocean / Arctic Ocean, located northwest of Norway.

Bintang Adipurna

July 8, 2026
Bintang Adipurna

Bintang Adipurna Latest News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was recently conferred with Indonesia's highest honour 'Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia' medal for his role in strengthening the ties between both the countries. 

About Bintang Adipurna

  • The Bintang Adipurna (First Class of the Star of the Republic of Indonesia) is Indonesia's highest civilian honor conferred by the President of the Republic of Indonesia.
  • It is awarded to individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the unity, continuity, and prosperity of the Republic of Indonesia. 
  • Foreign officials receiving such an award are recognized by the Republic of Indonesia as contributors to establishing a relationship based on friendship and mutual respect between the two nations.
  • The insignia has very distinctive characteristics.
    • The decoration consists of a shining gold star with several rays that stand for excellence, honour and distinguished service.
    • In the middle of it there is the symbol of Indonesia—the Garuda Pancasila, which stands for the sovereignty of the nation and the five principles of the state.
    • It is worn along with a ceremonial sash, the colors of which are red and white – the national colors of Indonesia.
    • There is also a star badge that is put on in state ceremonies.

News: TH

Bintang Adipurna FAQs

Q1: What is the Bintang Adipurna?

Ans: It is Indonesia's highest civilian honor.

Q2: For what purpose is the Bintang Adipurna awarded?

Ans: For rendering exceptional service to the unity, continuity, and prosperity of the Republic of Indonesia.

Q3: Why are foreign dignitaries awarded the Bintang Adipurna?

Ans: For contributing to friendship and mutual respect between Indonesia and their respective countries.

Q4: What does the gold star in the Bintang Adipurna insignia symbolize?

Ans: Excellence, honour, and distinguished service.

Guwahati Declaration

July 8, 2026
Guwahati Declaration

Guwahati Declaration Latest News

The BRICS nations recently adopted the Guwahati Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen cooperation to prevent and combat illicit drug trafficking and related organised transnational crime.

About Guwahati Declaration

  • It was adopted by the BRICS nations to strengthen cooperation against illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organized crime.  
  • The declaration was adopted at the conclusion of the two-day BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting held in Guwahati, Assam. 
  • It was held under India's 2026 BRICS chairship, themed "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,".
  • The meeting brought together representatives from Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia and the United Arab Emirates to discuss coordinated strategies against global drug trafficking. 
  • The joint declaration calls for greater cooperation through the timely exchange of information, intelligence and best practices, in line with national laws and international obligations. 
  • It also highlights the importance of using innovative technologies, digital tools and data-driven approaches to improve law enforcement and regulatory measures against drug trafficking. 
  • The declaration also stresses the need to strengthen efforts to reduce drug demand, promote healthy lifestyles and protect vulnerable groups, especially children and young people, through evidence-based and people-centred strategies. 

Key Facts about BRICS

  • It is an intergovernmental organization of major emerging economies that aims to create greater economic and geopolitical integration and coordination among member states. 
  • BRICS, originally coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill in 2001, started as the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), with South Africa joining later in 2010 to form BRICS.  
  • It was expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with Indonesia joining in 2025. 
  • The grouping has emerged as an influential bloc, bringing together 11 major emerging economies that account for around 49.5 percent of the world's population, about 40 percent of global GDP and nearly 26 percent of global trade.
  • In addition to the 11 member nations, 10 partner countries joined BRICS in 2025 -- Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. 

News: TH

Guwahati Declaration FAQs

Q1: What is the Guwahati Declaration?

Ans: A declaration adopted by BRICS nations to strengthen cooperation against illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organized crime.

Q2: At which meeting was the Guwahati Declaration adopted?

Ans: The declaration was adopted at the conclusion of the two-day BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting held in Guwahati, Assam.

Q3: What does the Guwahati Declaration call for among BRICS nations?

Ans: Timely exchange of information, intelligence and best practices.

Q4: Under whose chairship was the Guwahati Declaration adopted?

Ans: India's 2026 BRICS Chairship.

Egyptian Vulture

July 8, 2026
Egyptian Vulture

Egyptian Vulture Latest News

Recently, it was observed that once familiar in villages, temple towns, grazing lands and rocky cliffs across Southern India, the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) has almost disappeared from much of its range. 

About Egyptian Vulture

  • It is one of the world’s smallest vultures.
  • Distribution: It is distributed across southern Europe, northern and central Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
  • Habitat: It inhabits open, arid areas near humans, with plenty of food options. 
  • Characteristics: These are monogamous, migrating between breeding seasons as a pair. They build a large nest and will constantly replenish it during the breeding season.
  • Diet: Diverse feeding habit, from carrion to insects, small reptiles and amphibians and mammal faeces
  • Threats: The loss of habitat, decrease in food supply, collisions with electricity infrastructure and poisoning from the use of agricultural chemicals.
  • Conservation status
    • IUCN: Endangered
  • Ecological Role: It played a vital ecological role by removing animal carcasses from the landscape and helping maintain healthy ecosystems.

Source: TH

Egyptian Vulture FAQs

Q1: What are the major threats to Egyptian Vulture?

Ans: Illegal poisoning, accidental poisoning, collision with power line

Q2: What is the Habitat of Egyptian Vulture?

Ans: It inhabits open, arid areas near humans.

Vihar Lake

July 8, 2026
Vihar Lake

Vihar Lake Latest News

The Vihar lake, one of the seven reservoirs supplying drinking water to Mumbai, started overflowing following heavy rainfall. 

About Vihar Lake

  • It is a man-made reservoir located near Vihar village on the Mithi River within the grounds of the Borivali National Park in North Mumbai, Maharashtra.
  • The lake was built from 1856 to 1860 by the British government to overcome the drinking water woes of the people of southern Mumbai.
  • It gets its water from the Powai-Kanheri hill ranges in the catchment area.
  • It is the largest lake in Mumbai in the Salsette group of islands.
  • It is bordered between the Tulsi Lake and the Powai Lake.
  • It partly meets the drinking water needs of the South Mumbai region. 
  • It supplies 3% of the Mumbai city’s water requirement, after filtration at Bhandup, where the large water filtration plant is located.

Source: TP

Vihar Lake FAQs

Q1: Where is Vihar Lake located?

Ans: North Mumbai, Maharashtra

Q2: When was Vihar Lake built and by whom?

Ans: Built 1856-1860 by British government to solve Mumbai’s drinking water shortage; completed in 1860

Sudan

July 8, 2026
Sudan

Sudan Latest News

Recently, UNICEF reported that over 300 children were killed or wounded in Sudan's civil war over six months. 

About Sudan

  • Location: It is a Northeast African country.
  • Bordering Countries: It shares its border with Egypt (north), Eritrea, and Ethiopia (east), Central African Republic and Chad (west), Libya (northwest) and South Sudan (south),
  • Maritime Border: It shares its border with the Red Sea.
  • Capital City: Khartoum

Geographical Features of Sudan

  • Terrain: It is mainly composed of vast plains and plateaus that are drained by the Nile River and its tributaries.
  • Climate: The climate of Sudan varies from north to south.
  • The northern part of Sudan is a desert climate, receiving little rainfall, shifting to semi-arid and the tropical savannah towards the South.
  • Highest point: Jabal Marrah 
  • Major River: The Nile River system is the dominant geographical feature, running from south to north across the country and draining all streams and rivers of Sudan.
  • Natural Resources: Petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold; hydropower.

Source: NDTV

Sudan FAQs

Q1: Where is Sudan located?

Ans: Northeast Africa and shares 7 land borders: Egypt, Libya, Chad, CAR, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea

Q2: What is the Capital city of Sudan?

Ans: Khartoum

Performance Grading Index

July 8, 2026
Performance Grading Index

Performance Grading Index Latest News

Recently, the Union Ministry of Education released the Report on Performance Grading Index 2.0 for States/UTs (PGI-S) and Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D) for 2025-26. 

About Performance Grading Index

  • It is an index that measures the performance of states in school education undertaken by the Department of School Education &Literacy (DoSEL).
  • PGI strives to evaluate the relative performance of all the State/UTs and districts respectively in a uniform scale to encourage them to perform better.
  • The PGI 2.0 is constructed based on 73 indicators from 2 Categories containing 6 Domains.

Performance Grading Index (PGI ) – States/UTs

  • It is devised by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Union Ministry of Education.
  • It evaluates the performance of States and Union Territories by categorizing them into different grades or levels.
  • Total weightage: The PGI- States/UTs structure comprises total weightage of 1000 points across 70 indicators.
  • It consists of 2 Categories: Outcome and Governance & Management; comprising six domains:
    • Learning Outcomes and Quality
    • Access
    • Infrastructure & Facilities
    • Equity
    • Governance Processes
    • Teachers Education & Training
  • The framework is fully aligned with data from the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+), PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024, PM POSHAN Portal, PRABAND Portal, and Vidyanjali Portal.

Performance Grading Index (PGI ) – Districts

  • Objective: Assessing districts on a common parameter with attention now shifting towards outcome measurement of educational policies.
  • Total weightage: It comprises a total weightage of 600 points across 70 indicators, which are grouped under 6 categories viz., Outcomes, Effective Classroom Transaction, Infrastructure Facilities & Student Entitlements, School Safety & Child Protection, Digital Learning and Governance Process.
  • These categories are further divided into 11 domains
    • Learning Outcomes and Quality (LOQ), Access Outcomes (AO), Teacher Availability and Professional Development Outcomes (TAPDO), Learning Management (LM), Learning Enrichment Activities (LEA), Infrastructure, Facilities, Student Entitlements (IF&SE), School Safety and Child Protection (SS&CP), Digital Learning (DL), Funds Convergence and Utilisation (FCU), Attendance Monitoring Systems (AMS) and School Leadership Development (SLD).
  • Data Source: It is drawn from several sources, viz., Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE +), PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 (PRS 2024) and the PRABANDH Portal.

Source: PIB

Performance Grading Index FAQs

Q1: PGI is aligned with which education policy?

Ans: National Education Policy 2020 – focuses on learning outcomes and quality of education

Q2: What is PGI-D and its total weightage?

Ans: Performance Grading Index for Districts; 600 points across 70 indicators with 6 Categories & 11 Domains

Kwar Hydroelectric Project

July 8, 2026
Kwar Hydroelectric Project

Kwar Hydroelectric Project Latest News

The heavy rainfall triggered a major landslide near the under-construction 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Power Project in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir recently.

About Kwar Hydroelectric Project

  • It is a 540 MW hydropower project located on the Chenab River in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The project is envisaged as a Run of River Scheme.
  • The project envisages the construction of a 109 m high dam, an underground power house with 4 units of 135 MW each. 
  • It is expected to generate 1,975 million units (MU) of electricity annually. 
  • The project is being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Ltd. (CVPPL). 
    • CVPPL is a joint venture company between NHPC Ltd and Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) with equity contributions of 51 percent and 49 percent, respectively.

News: NIE

Kwar Hydroelectric Project FAQ's

Q1: What is the installed capacity of the Kwar Hydroelectric Project?

Ans: 540 MW.

Q2: On which river is the Kwar Hydroelectric Project being developed?

Ans: Chenab River.

Q3: Where is the Kwar Hydroelectric Project located?

Ans: Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir.

Q4: Who is developing the Kwar Hydroelectric Project?

Ans: Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPL).

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