UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 22 July 2026

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award

July 22, 2026

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award Latest News

Recently, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports invited online nominations for the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award (TNNAA) 2025.

About Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award

It is India's highest national honour for outstanding achievements in the field of adventure.
The objectives of the award are
- To recognize the achievements of the person in the field of adventure.
- To encourage young people to develop the spirit of endurance, risk-taking, cooperative teamwork, and quick, ready, and effective reflexes in challenging situations.
- To provide incentives to the young people for getting exposed to adventure activities.
Award: The Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award carries a bronze statuette, a certificate, a blazer with a silken tie (or saree), and an award money of ₹15 lakh.
The award enjoys a status equivalent to the Arjuna Awards and is presented by the Government of India along with the National Sports Awards.
Number of Awardees
- Awards can be given in four categories namely, Land Adventure, Water (Sea) Adventure, Air Adventure and Life Time Achievement for adventure activities on Land, Sea and Air.
- Ordinarily not more than one Award will be made in each category.
- The Ministry may increase the number of awards in a particular year with the approval of the Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports

Source: PIB

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award FAQs

Q1: Which Ministry confers the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award?

Ans: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

Q2: Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award is given for excellence in which field?

Ans: Adventure Sports

Disporum yobinorum

July 22, 2026

Disporum yobinorum Latest News

Botanists recently discovered a flowering plant named Disporum yobinorum in a remote corner of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Myanmar.

About Disporum yobinorum

It is a new species of flowering plant.
It was discovered in the forests of Vijaynagar in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Vijaynagar is one of India’s least disturbed forest landscapes.
- Nestled along the border with Myanmar’s Kachin State, the region shares its geography and flora with the forests of Yunnan in China, making it part of a biologically rich transboundary landscape.
The species was named yobinorum in honour of the Yobin community, recognising their support for scientific exploration in the region.
- The Yobin, also known as the Lisu in Myanmar and China, are one of Arunachal Pradesh’s smallest indigenous tribes.
Disporum yobinorum grows in moist, shaded evergreen forests at elevations of 1,100-1,500 metres, alongside streams in habitats rich in native vegetation.
Known only from a single location, fewer than 40 individual plants have so far been recorded.
Researchers recommended that the species be treated as Data Deficient under IUCN criteria.

News: EM

Disporum yobinorum FAQs

Q1: What is Disporum yobinorum?

Ans: It is a newly discovered species of flowering plant.

Q2: Where was Disporum yobinorum discovered?

Ans: It was discovered in the forests of Vijaynagar in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh.

Q3: After whom was Disporum yobinorum named?

Ans: It was named in honour of the Yobin community, one of Arunachal Pradesh’s smallest indigenous tribes.

Q4: In what type of habitat does Disporum yobinorum grow?

Ans: Moist, shaded evergreen forests along streams.

Harishchandragad Fort

July 22, 2026

Harishchandragad Fort Latest News

Four tourists from Mumbai were seriously injured recently during a landslide while they were descending the Harishchandragad fort in Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra.

About Harishchandragad Fort

It is a hill fort located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.
Nestled in the Western Ghats, it stands at approximately 1,422 meters above sea level.

Harishchandragad Fort History

The fort originally dates back to the 6th century during the rule of the Kalchuri dynasty.
The citadel was built during this era, and various caves probably have been carved out in the 11th century AD.
Sage Changdev used to meditate here in the 14th century AD.
Later the fort was under the control of the Mughals and the Marathas captured it in 1747 AD.
Remnants of microlithic human inhabitants have been discovered here.
The various Puranas, like Matsyapurana, Agnipurana, and Skandapurana, have many references about Harishchandragad.

Harishchandragad Fort Architecture

One of the most prominent structures on the fort is the Harishchandreshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Built in the Hemadpanti architectural style, the temple boasts intricate carvings and a massive Nandi sculpture at its entrance.
- The temple’s sanctum houses a shivling, making it a revered pilgrimage site.
The Konkan Kada, or the Konkan Cliff, is one of Harishchandragad’s most striking features.
- This semicircular overhanging cliff offers stunning views of the Konkan region, and during certain seasons, a rare phenomenon called the “Brocken Spectre” can be observed, where one’s shadow appears on the clouds with a rainbow halo.

News: RED

Harishchandragad Fort FAQs

Q1: Where is Harishchandragad Fort located?

Ans: It is located in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra.

Q2: To which century does the origin of Harishchandragad Fort date?

Ans: The fort originally dates back to the 6th century during the rule of the Kalchuri dynasty.

Q3: When did the Marathas capture Harishchandragad Fort?

Ans: In 1747 AD.

Q4: Which is the most prominent temple at Harishchandragad Fort?

Ans: The Harishchandreshwar Temple

Q5: In which architectural style is the Harishchandreshwar Temple built?

Ans: Hemadpanti architectural style.

Okinotori Island

July 22, 2026

Okinotori Island Latest News

A Chinese navy destroyer, alongside Russian vessels, recently conducted live-fire drills near Japan's Okinotori Island, marking the first such disclosure by Japan.

About Okinotori Island

Okinotori, also known as Parece Vela, is a tiny, uninhabited island that belongs to Japan.
It's located far out in the Philippine Sea, which is part of the big Pacific Ocean.
It's actually an atoll, which is a ring-shaped coral reef with a lagoon in the middle.
At high tide, only two tiny rocky outcrops remain above sea level.
This atoll is part of a long underwater mountain range called the Palau-Kyushu Ridge.
Okinotori is part of a group called the Ogasawara Islands governed by Japan.
It is Japan's southernmost island located about 1,700 kilometers south of Tokyo.
It is the only Japanese territory south of the Tropic of Cancer and lies to the south of Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Japan says that the waters around Okinotori are its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
However, some other countries, like China, do not agree with Japan's claim over this specific EEZ.
It is in a very important spot for military and shipping routes.
- It sits about halfway between Taiwan and Guam (island territory of the United States).
- This makes its location strategic in the Pacific Ocean.

News: DEVD

Okinotori Island FAQs

Q1: Where is Okinotori Island located?

Ans: It's located far out in the Philippine Sea, which is part of the big Pacific Ocean.

Q2: Which country administers Okinotori Island?

Ans: Japan

Q3: What type of landform is Okinotori?

Ans: It is an atoll.

Q4: Which island group does Okinotori belong to?

Ans: The Ogasawara Islands.

Q5: What makes Okinotori's location strategically significant?

Ans: It lies about halfway between Taiwan and Guam, making it important for military and shipping routes.

Batukeshwar Dutt

July 22, 2026

Batukeshwar Dutt Latest News

Union Home Minister and Defence Minister recently paid tribute to revolutionary and freedom fighter Batukeshwar Dutt on his death anniversary.

About Batukeshwar Dutt

Batukeshwar Dutt, also known as B.K. Dutt, was an Indian revolutionary and a freedom fighter in the early 1900s.
He was born on November 18, 1910, in Bengal’s Burdwan district.
He shifted to Kanpur to study in the PPN High School, from where he graduated.
He was a close associate of freedom fighters Chandrashekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh. He met Bhagat Singh in Kanpur in 1924.
He joined the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) and learned how to make bombs.
The Central Assembly Bombing (April 8, 1929):
- He is best known for having exploded a few bombs, along with Bhagat Singh, in the Central Legislative Assembly in New Delhi on 8 April 1929.
- This was planned to protest the passage of the repressive Public Safety Bill and Trade Disputes Bill.
- During the action, they raised the historic slogan Inquilab Zindabad! (Long Live the Revolution!), and distributed leaflets stating, ‘’if the deaf are to hear, the sound has to be very loud’’.
- Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt quietly courted arrest after the incident.
- They were famously defended by M. Asaf Ali but were both sentenced to imprisonment for life.
After they were imprisoned, he and Bhagat Singh initiated a historic hunger strike protesting against the abusive treatment of Indian political prisoners and eventually secured some rights for them.
Bhagat Singh was also tried for his involvement in the murder of British police officer John Saunders, along with Rajguru and Sukhdev. He was sentenced to death and executed on 23rd March 1931.
After Dutt’s release, he took part in the freedom struggle notably in the Quit India Movement. He was jailed again for four years.
He was eventually released from prison following India‘s independence in 1947.
He passed away on July 20, 1965.
He was cremated in the Hussainiwala National Martyrs Memorial in Punjab. This is the same place where his friends Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar were cremated.

News: NOA

Batukeshwar Dutt FAQs

Q1: Who was Batukeshwar Dutt?

Ans: Batukeshwar Dutt was an Indian revolutionary and freedom fighter.

Q2: Which two prominent revolutionaries were close associates of Batukeshwar Dutt?

Ans: Chandrashekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh.

Q3: For which incident is Batukeshwar Dutt best known?

Ans: The Central Legislative Assembly Bombing of April 8, 1929.

Q4: Which movement did Batukeshwar Dutt participate in after his release from prison?

Ans: The Quit India Movement.

Mission Golden Spice

July 22, 2026

Mission Golden Spice Latest News

Recently, the Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) launched the Mission Golden Spice.

About Mission Golden Spice

It is an integrated Lakadong Turmeric Value Chain Enhancement Project.
It is a convergence-led initiative for turmeric cultivation and value-chain development in the State of Meghalaya.
Time Period: Five-year roadmap (2025–2030)
Phases: It is to be implemented in two phases namely Value Chain Strengthening (Phase 1) followed by Expansion & Scale-up (Phase 2).
It is anchored by MDoNER and the North Eastern Council (NEC).
- The Mission builds upon convergence with schemes and interventions of the Ministries of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Food Processing Industries and Commerce, along with APEDA, the Spices Board, the National Turmeric Board, ICAR, MeitY, NABARD, SFAC and the Government of Meghalaya.

Key Facts about Lakadong Turmeric

It is mainly cultivated in the Lakadong area of Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya.
It is distinguished by its remarkable curcumin content, ranging from 7 to 12%
It is darker in colour and is grown organically without the use of fertilisers.
It has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2024.
Benefits: It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties.

Source: PIB

Mission Golden Spice FAQs

Q1: Mission Golden Spice is related to which crop?

Ans: Turmeric

Q2: Lakadong Turmeric is primarily grown in which state?

Ans: Meghalaya

Allographa

July 22, 2026

Allographa Latest News

Recently, a team of researchers has unveiled five new species of lichen-forming fungi belonging to the genus Allographa.

About Allographa

It is a genus of script lichens or lichen-forming fungi (a fungus that teams up with algae or cyanobacteria to create a lichen) with elongated fruiting bodies in the family Graphidaceae.
It has more than 200 species and in India these Allographa species are limited, particularly from the Western Ghats.
Ecological Role: These are highly sensitive to pollution, climate shifts and habitat disturbance, making them reliable indicators of ecosystem health.
The recently discovered five new Allographa species from Western Ghats are: Allographa keralensis, A. paraconsanguinea; A. persistinspersa and A. semicarbonisata.

What are Lichens?

Lichens are not just one organism but two (sometimes more) living in intimate symbiosis: a fungus that offers structure and protection, and a photobiont (usually a green alga or cyanobacterium) that captures sunlight and makes food.
Ecological Significance: Lichens play critical roles in ecosystems, building soil, feeding insects and serving as nature’s bioindicators.

Source: PIB

Allographa FAQs

Q1: What is Allographa?

Ans: It is a genus of script lichens.

Q2: Which type of lichen grows on tree bark?

Ans: Corticolous lichen

Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing Aircraft

July 22, 2026

Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing Aircraft Latest News

Recently, an IIT Madras-incubated startup launched India's first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft prototype.

About Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing Aircraft

It is a battery-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically like a helicopter before transitioning to forward flight like a conventional airplane.
An eVTOLs does not require long runways.
It is a low-altitude urban air mobility aircraft capable of carrying only a few passengers- six seaters and eight seaters.
Features
- Most designs use multiple electrically powered propellers instead of a single large rotor, allowing them to lift off from relatively small spaces.
- eVTOL aircraft use multiple electric motors and propellers powered by batteries.
Technology used
- Most eVTOLs use distributed electric propulsion technology which means integrating a complex propulsion system with the airframe.
- There are multiple motors for various functions; to increase efficiency; and to also ensure safety.
Applications: Air Taxi, Delivery, Medical assistance (EMS), Cargo Transport, Recreation.

Source: BS

Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing Aircraft FAQs

Q1: Which feature makes eVTOL different from a helicopter?

Ans: Multiple rotors and vertical take-off & landing with low noise

Q2: eVTOL aircraft are considered part of which mobility solution?

Ans: Urban Air Mobility

Salal Dam

July 22, 2026

Salal Dam Latest News

Authorities recently opened all gates of the Salal Dam in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district after heavy rainfall triggered a sharp rise in water inflow into the Chenab River and the dam reservoir.

About Salal Dam

The Salal Dam, also known as Salal Hydroelectric Power Station, is a 690 MW run-of-the-river power project on the Chenab River in the Reasi District of Jammu and Kashmir.
Though the dam was first conceptualized in 1920, the construction commenced in 1970 and subsequently entered into commercial operation in 1987.
This was the first hydropower project, which was built by India under the Indus Water Treaty regime in Kashmir.
The project is developed and owned by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
Dam Features:
- It is an embankment dam constructed primarily from locally sourced materials, which include gravel, sand, and clay, demonstrating a high thermal mass that aids in the regulation of temperature fluctuations within the structure.
- The dam’s height of 100 meters and length of 1,200 meters creates a reservoir with a capacity of approximately 1,200 million cubic meters.
Power Distribution:
- Jammu and Kashmir receives 12.5 percent of the energy generated from the project.
- The rest is transmitted to the Northern Grid, where it is distributed to the states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Jammu and Kashmir also purchases additional power at regular prices.

News: DD

Salal Dam FAQs

Q1: Where is the Salal Dam located?

Ans: It is located in the Reasi District of Jammu and Kashmir.

Q2: On which river is the Salal Dam built?

Ans: The Chenab River.

Q3: What is the installed power generation capacity of the Salal Dam?

Ans: 690 MW.

Q4: Why is the Salal Dam historically significant?

Ans: It was the first hydropower project built by India under the Indus Water Treaty regime in Kashmir.

Q5: Which organization developed and owns the Salal Dam?

Ans: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).

SMILE Scheme

July 22, 2026

SMILE Scheme Latest News

The SMILE scheme has rehabilitated over 10200 persons engaged in begging across 216 cities in India.

About SMILE Scheme

The SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) is an umbrella programme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
It is a central sector scheme.
It aims to realise the vision of a “Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat” (Begging-Free India) by adopting a convergence-based approach involving
- The Central Government, State Governments, Union Territories, district administrations, urban local bodies, municipal corporations and implementing agencies.
Target: It will try to cover 295 cities by the financial year 2030-31, with a special focus on metropolitan centres as well as religious, tourist and historical destinations.
The larger scheme includes the
- Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons
- Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of engaged in the act of Begging.
These two schemes provide comprehensive welfare and rehabilitation measures to the transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging.
To strengthen implementation and transparency, the Ministry has introduced the SMILE-Beggary National Portal, which enables digital registration, monitoring and tracking of rehabilitation centres and shelter homes.

Source: DD News

SMILE Scheme FAQs

Q1: SMILE Scheme is implemented by which Ministry?

Ans: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

Q2: SMILE Scheme was launched in which year?

Ans: 2022