UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 19 July 2026

Two New Spider Species

July 19, 2026

Two New Spider Species Latest News

Scientists at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have officially documented two newly discovered spider species named Simonia lawbah and Hamataliwa papikonda from contrasting and highly specialised ecosystems in Meghalaya and Andhra Pradesh.

About Simonia lawbah

It is a new species of cave-dwelling ray spider.
It was found inside Krem Lawbah Cave in Meghalaya.
It belongs to the Theridiosomatidae family, commonly known as Ray Spiders. It marks the first-ever record of the genus Simonia in India.
Measuring less than two millimetres, this tiny cave-dwelling spider is specially adapted to life in perpetual darkness.
Scientists describe it as troglophilic, meaning it thrives in cave environments while retaining the ability to survive outside them under suitable conditions.
Its most fascinating feature is the construction of an intricate cone-shaped “ray web.”
- These “ray webs” function like miniature slingshots, allowing the spider to launch its web at high speed to trap flying insects.

About Hamataliwa papikonda

It is a new species of lynx spider.
It was recorded in the mixed deciduous forest canopy of Papikonda National Park in Andhra Pradesh.
It represents the first documented occurrence of the genus Hamataliwa in Andhra Pradesh.
Measuring just under 5 mm, the yellow-bodied spider belongs to the lynx spider family Oxyopidae and is an active predator that does not build webs.
Instead, it relies on speed, agility and its spiny legs to capture prey.
It has a distinctive hexagonal arrangement of eight eyes, which helps it track and hunt insects with precision.

News: PIB

Two New Spider Species FAQs

Q1: What is Simonia lawbah?

Ans: It is a newly discovered species of cave-dwelling ray spider.

Q2: Where was Simonia lawbah discovered?

Ans: It was discovered in Krem Lawbah Cave in Meghalaya.

Q3: What is Hamataliwa papikonda?

Ans: It is a newly discovered species of lynx spider.

Q4: Where was Hamataliwa papikonda discovered?

Ans: It was recorded in the mixed deciduous forest canopy of Papikonda National Park, Andhra Pradesh.

Naying Hydroelectric Project

July 19, 2026

Naying Hydroelectric Project Latest News

The Centre recently granted environmental clearance to the 1,000 MW Naying Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh.

About Naying Hydroelectric Project

It is a proposed 1,000 MW hydropower project planned on the Siyom (Yomgo) River in the West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
It is a run-of-the-river project.
The project includes the construction of a concrete dam, an underground powerhouse, and tunnels, with work expected to begin around 2028 and commissioning planned for 2032.
The project consists of 4 turbines, each with 250 MW nameplate capacity.
Once completed, the project is expected to generate approximately 4,966.77 million units of electricity annually.
It will be implemented by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), a Miniratna Schedule ”A” Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Power.

Key Facts about Siyom River

It is a right-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra River.
It is a river in Arunachal Pradesh that flows through the West Siang region.
The Mouling National Park is located on the east bank of the river.
The Siyom has a length of about 170 km.

News: OPI

Naying Hydroelectric Project FAQs

Q1: What is the Naying Hydroelectric Project?

Ans: It is a proposed 1,000 MW run-of-the-river hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh.

Q2: On which river is the Naying Hydroelectric Project proposed?

Ans: The Siyom (Yomgo) River.

Q3: What type of hydropower project is the Naying Hydroelectric Project?

Ans: It is a run-of-the-river hydropower project.

Q4: Which organisation will implement the Naying Hydroelectric Project?

Ans: North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO).

Ana Sagar Lake

July 19, 2026

Ana Sagar Lake Latest News

A large number of fish have perished in Rajasthan's historic Ana Sagar, the lake located in the heart of Ajmer city, in the past few days.

About Ana Sagar Lake

It is an artificial lake located in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
It was built by raising a dam across the Luni or Lavanavari River.
It was built by Arnoraja Chauhan, the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, in 1135–1150 AD and was named after him.
Nestled in the Aravalli hills, it is spread over 13 km. The lake gets dry every summer.
The arresting Pavilions, or "Baradari" that are nearby the lake were constructed in 1637 by the Mughal emperor Shahjahan.
- The Baradari is essentially a marble stone pavilion.
The "Daulat Bagh Gardens" that surrounds the lake were established by Mughal sovereign Jehangir.
There is an island in the center of the lake, which is accessible by boat.
The circuit residence that's placed on the hilltop in the vicinity of the lake once served as the British Residency.

News: ETVB

Ana Sagar Lake FAQs

Q1: What is Ana Sagar Lake?

Ans: It is an artificial lake located in Ajmer, Rajasthan.

Q2: Across which river was Ana Sagar Lake created?

Ans: It was created by constructing a dam across the Luni (Lavanavari) River.

Q3: Who built Ana Sagar Lake?

Ans: It was built by Arnoraja Chauhan, the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, in 1135–1150 AD.

Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026

July 19, 2026

Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026 Latest News

Gujarat has emerged as India’s most investment-friendly state in Niti Aayog’s first-ever Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026, followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

About Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026

It is the country’s first IFI released by the NITI Aayog.
It assesses how well Indian states and Union Territories are positioned to attract investments.
It covers all 28 states and 8 Union Territories and evaluates investment attractiveness across the following eight pillars:
- Infrastructure
- Business climate
- Resources
- Government policy
- Regulatory Ease
- Institutional Environment
- Financial Health; and
- Environmental Resilience
The framework comprises 84 indicators, incorporating both secondary data and perception-based measures derived from a primary survey of investors.
The index uses a 100-point scale and serves as a benchmark for states to improve their investment environment.
Each state has scored on different aspects using a mix of primary surveys and publicly available data.
Based on overall scores, States and Union Territories have been classified into four performance categories:
- Top Performers (scores above 50)
  Frontrunners (45–50)
  Emerging Performers (≥40 – <45)
- Aspiring States (below 40)
States and Union Territories have also been assessed within three peer groups - Large States, Hilly and Northeastern States, and Union Territories and City States.

Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026 Highlights

5 states were identified as top performers: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Odisha.
15 States have been classified as Frontrunners, while 8 States/UTs have been placed in each of the Emerging Performers and Aspiring States categories.
Among the large states, Gujarat secured the first rank, followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, which are also the top three performers in the overall Index.
In the Hilly and Northeastern States category, Uttarakhand emerged as the highest-ranked State, followed by Assam and Himachal Pradesh.
Among the City States and Union Territories, Goa secured the top position, followed by Delhi and Chandigarh.

News: TP

Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026 FAQs

Q1: Which organisation released the Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026?

Ans: NITI Aayog.

Q2: What is the objective of the Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026?

Ans: To assess how well States and Union Territories are positioned to attract investments.

Q3: Which States are classified as Top Performers under Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026?

Ans: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Odisha.

Q4: Which State ranked first among the Hilly and Northeastern States in Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026?

Ans: Uttarakhand.

Q5: Which State/UT secured the top position among the City States and Union Territories in IFI 2026?

Ans: Goa.

Legionnaires’ Disease

July 19, 2026

Legionnaires' Disease Latest News

Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City recently claimed its first life, with at least 67 people falling ill and dozens needing hospital care.

About Legionnaires' Disease

It is a severe form of a lung infection (pneumonia) caused by a bacterium known as legionella.
The name comes from a 1976 outbreak among people attending an American Legion convention in Philadelphia, where the disease was first identified.
Legionella can also cause Pontiac fever. This is a milder, flu-like illness that doesn't infect your lungs.

Legionnaires' Disease Transmission

Legionella is found naturally in freshwater, such as lakes and rivers. It can also be found in soil.
But people usually only get sick from it when it grows and spreads in man-made water systems.
These systems can include hot tubs, fountains, and the plumbing systems of large buildings, such as hotels or nursing homes.
Most people catch Legionnaires’ disease by breathing in mist or small drops of water that contain the bacteria.
You usually can’t get infected by drinking water that contains the bacteria unless you aspirate it (accidentally breathe the water into your lungs).
It is not contagious, meaning it does not spread from person to person.
Older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and people who smoke have a higher risk of getting Legionnaires’ disease.

Legionnaires' Disease Symptoms

It causes pneumonia-like symptoms that start two to 14 days after exposure to Legionella.
Patients usually present with fever, cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, and may have gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
In severe cases, neurological symptoms (e.g., confusion) and respiratory failure may occur, and some cases may result in death.

Legionnaires' Disease Treatment

Treating right away with antibiotics most often cures Legionnaires’ disease.
But some people still have problems after treatment.
Currently, there is no vaccine available for LD.

News: ETVB

Legionnaires' Disease FAQs

Q1: What is Legionnaires' disease?

Ans: It is a severe form of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella bacteria.

Q2: Where do people usually become infected with Legionella?

Ans: From man-made water systems where the bacteria grow and multiply.

Q3: How do most people contract Legionnaires' disease?

Ans: By breathing in contaminated water droplets or mist (aerosols) containing Legionella bacteria.

Q4: Is Legionnaires' disease contagious?

Ans: No. It does not spread from person to person.

Q5: How is Legionnaires' disease treated?

Ans: It is treated with antibiotics.

Hungary

July 19, 2026

Hungary Latest News

Hungary's president signed a constitutional amendment into law on that ends his term in office, bringing to a close a dispute between him and the country's new government.

About Hungary

Location: It is a landlocked Central European Nation, situated in the Carpathian Basin.
Bordering Countries: It is bordered by 7 Nations: by Slovakia in the north; Ukraine in the northeast; Romania in the east; Serbia and Croatia in the south; Slovenia in the southwest and Austria in the west.
Capital City: Budapest

Geographical Features of Hungary

Climate: Hungary has a moderately dry continental type climate.
Terrain: It is mostly a flat country, dominated by the Great Hungarian Plain east of the Danube.
Rivers: The Danube is the major river, as it divides the country almost in half and other rivers are Tisza, Rába, and Dráva .
Lakes: Lake Balaton
Highest Point: The highest point, located in the Matra Hills, is Mt Kekes at 3,330 ft. (1,015m).
Natural Resources: It has deposits of copper and iron ore, and also consists of coal, lignite, and natural gas.

Source: TH

Hungary FAQs

Q1: Hungary shares border with how many countries?

Ans: 7 namely Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria

Q2: What is the capital of Hungary ?

Ans: Budapest

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

July 19, 2026

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve Latest News

Recently, a special task force comprising Erode district administrative sealed 21 unauthorized resorts in the buffer zones of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

About Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

Location: It is located in the state of Tamil Nadu.
It is nestled at the junction of the Eastern and the Western Ghats in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
It is contiguous with the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka), and BR Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka).
Terrain: The terrain is hilly and undulating with altitude ranging between 750 m and 1649 m.
Climate: It is subtropical and dry.
Rivers: Some of the prominent rivers in the region include the Bhavani, Moyar, and Noyyal rivers.
Tribal Communities: It is home to several indigenous tribal communities, including the Irula and Kurumba tribes.
Vegetation: It consists of southern tropical dry thorn forests, mixed deciduous forests, semi-evergreen forests, and riparian forests.
Flora: It includes teak, sandalwood, bamboo, Terminalia, and Albizia, alongside medicinal plants and shrubs that support both wildlife and local communities.
Fauna: The major species are Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Sloth bear, Gaur, Black Buck, Spotted deer, Wild boar, Black napped hare, Common langur Nilgiri langur, Striped neck mongoose, and Bonnet macaque.

Source: TOI

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve FAQs

Q1: Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is located in which state?

Ans: Tamil Nadu

Q2: Sathyamangalam TR is part of which larger landscape?

Ans: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Falkland Islands

July 19, 2026

Falkland Islands Latest News

Recently, while celebrating triumph over England in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Argentina sparked controversy by displaying banner claiming the Falkland Islands as Argentine territory.

About Falkland Islands

Location: It is an archipelago located to the southwest Atlantic Ocean at the southern-most point of South America.
It is also known as the Malvinas Islands, the Falkland Islands is an internally self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom.
It lies about 480 km northeast of the southern tip of South America and a similar distance east of the Strait of Magellan.
It consists of two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, together with 776 smaller islands.
The two large islands are separated by the Falkland strait.
The islands are positioned both in the southern and western hemispheres of the Earth.
Capital: The capital and major town is Stanley, on East Falkland.
Climate: A cool temperate oceanic climate that is characterised by its lack of extremes.

Source: IE

Falkland Islands FAQs

Q1: Where is Falkland Islands?

Ans: Atlantic Ocean

Q2: What is the capital of Falkland Islands?

Ans: Stanley, on East Falkland.

Pallikaranai Marshland

July 19, 2026

Pallikaranai Marshland Latest News

Decades of urbanisation and indiscriminate dumping have reduced the Pallikaranai marsh to a fraction of its original extent.

About Pallikaranai Marshland

Location: It is a freshwater marsh and partly saline wetland situated about 20 kilometres south of the city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
It serves as an aquatic buffer of the flood-prone Chennai and Chengalpattu districts.
It encompasses 65 wetlands, through two outlets, viz., Okkiyam Madavu and the Kovalam Creek, and falls into the Bay of Bengal.
On its eastern periphery, the Marsh is flanked by the Buckingham Canal.
It is one of the Ramsar sites in India.
Fauna
- The diverse ecosystem of the marshland supports some 115 bird species, ten mammals, 21 reptiles, ten amphibians, 46 fish, nine molluscs, five crustaceans, and seven butterfly species.
- These include notable species such as Russell’s viper (Daboia siamensis) and birds such as the glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), grey-headed lapwings (Vanellus cinereus), and Pheasant-tailed jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus).
Threats: It continues to face significant anthropogenic pressures, including encroachments and sewage discharge.

Source: TH

Pallikaranai Marshland FAQs

Q1: What are major threat to Pallikaranai Marshland?

Ans: Urbanization, Encroachment, Pollution, Landfills

Q2: Pallikaranai Marshland is a natural flood buffer for which city?

Ans: Chennai

National Commission for Minorities (NCM)

July 19, 2026

National Commission for Minorities Latest News

Recently, the Centre appointed Harjit Singh Grewal as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM).

About National Commission for Minorities

It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
Origin
- In January 1978, the government set up the Minorities Commission to safeguard the interests of minorities.
- With the enactment of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, the Minorities Commission became a statutory body and was renamed as the National Commission for Minorities.
NCM is responsible for advising the central and state governments on matters related to the welfare and development of minority communities in India.
Initially, five religious communities-Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Zoroastrians (Parsis)-were notified as minority communities by the Union Government.
Further, with the 2014 notification, Jains were also notified as another minority community.
Composition: The Commission consists of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Five Members
Nomination: The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and five Members are nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity.
Provided that five Members, including the Chairperson, shall be from amongst the minority communities.
Term: Each Member holds office for a period of three years from the date of entering the office

Functions of the Commission

Evaluate the progress of the development of minorities under the Union and states.
Monitor the working of the safeguards for minorities provided in the Constitution and in laws enacted by Parliament and the state legislatures.
Make recommendations for the effective implementation of safeguards for the protection of the interests of minorities by the central government or state governments.
Look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of the minorities and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities.
Cause studies to be undertaken into the problems arising out of any discrimination against minorities and recommend measures for their removal.
Conduct studies, research, and analysis on the issues relating to the socio-economic and educational development of minorities.
Suggest appropriate measures in respect of any minority to be undertaken by the central government or state government.
Make periodical or special reports to the central government on any matter pertaining to minorities and, in particular, difficulties confronted by them.
Any other matter which may be referred to by the central government.

Source: TH

National Commission for Minorities FAQs

Q1: Which ministry is the Nodal Ministry for NCM?

Ans: Ministry of Minority Affairs

Q2: National Commission for Minorities was set up under which Act?

Ans: National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992