UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 25 July 2026

by Vajiram & Ravi - 25 July 2026

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 25 July 2026, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

Portfolio Management Service

July 25, 2026
Portfolio Management Service

Portfolio Management Service Latest News

Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed a sweeping review of the SEBI (Portfolio Managers) Regulations, 2020, seeking to modernise the framework governing portfolio management services (PMS).

About Portfolio Management Service

  • It is registered under the SEBI (Portfolio Managers) Regulations, 2020.
  • It is a professional investment service where a qualified fund manager takes charge of the equity, debt and other securities portfolio of a customer — who is a high net-worth individual.
  • Who can offer: Only corporate entities, companies or LLPs with SEBI registration can legally offer these services in India.
  • SEBI mandates that no PMS provider can accept less than Rs 50 lakh per client.

Types of Portfolio Management Service

  • Discretionary PMS: In this type of PMS services, the portfolio manager has complete autonomy to make investment decisions on behalf of the investor.
  • Non-Discretionary PMS: In non-discretionary PMS, the portfolio manager provides recommendations, but the final decision to buy or sell rests with the investors themselves.
  • Advisory PMS: In Advisory PMS, the portfolio manager offers investment advice, and the investor executes transactions independently.

Key Regulations of Portfolio Management Service

  • Registration: All PMS providers must register with SEBI.
  • Minimum Investment Requirement: SEBI mandates a ₹50 lakhs minimum investment, targeting high net worth investors capable of managing associated risks.
  • Disclosure Obligations: PMS providers must regularly update investors with performance reports, fees, and risk disclosures.
  • Custodian Engagement: An independent custodian is required to hold investor assets to eliminate conflicts of interest
  • Compliance Monitoring: Each PMS provider is required to appoint a compliance officer to ensure adherence to SEBI regulations

Source: IE

Portfolio Management Service FAQs

Q1: What is the minimum investment required for PMS as per SEBI?

Ans: Rs 50 Lakh per client

Q2: Who can legally offer PMS in India?

Ans: Corporate entities, Companies or LLPs registered with SEBI

State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 Report

July 25, 2026
State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 Report

State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 Report Latest News

Recently, the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 Report was released. 

About State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 Report

  • It is the UN system’s flagship assessment of global hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition,
  • It is produced jointly by FAO, IFAD,(International Fund for Agricultural Development), UNICEF, WFP (World Food Programme) and WHO.
  • It tracks progress toward SDG 2 through the latest global and regional estimates on food insecurity, diet quality and the global nutrition targets.

Key Highlights of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 Report

  • It showed that while global food security and nutrition improved modestly in 2025, progress remains uneven and insufficient to meet the 2030 targets.
  • Hunger affected 7.8 percent of the world’s population, and 2.1 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity.
  • Persistent disparities remain, particularly for women, young children and rural communities, and diet quality continues to lag worldwide. 
  • The share of undernourished Indians has more than halved over the past two decades, from 21.1 per cent in 2004-06 to 9.8 per cent in 2023-25.
  • India’s healthy-diet cost has risen faster since 2017 — up nearly 48 per cent — compared to about 32 per cent in the US over the same period.

Source: DTE

State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 Report FAQs

Q1: SOFI 2026 report is released jointly by how many UN agencies?

Ans: FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO

Q2: Which region now has the largest number of hungry people in the world as per SOFI 2026?

Ans: Africa

Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary

July 25, 2026
Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary

Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

Recently, camera-trap evidence confirmed the return of the Dhole in the Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary.  

About Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Location: It is located in Udalguri district & Baksa District of Assam.
  • The sanctuary is sited on the eastern Himalayan foothills and shares the Indo-Bhutan international transboundary landscape.
  • This sanctuary is named after the river Bornadi which flows on its western border. 
  • The Nalapara River which originates from Bhutan flows from north to south along its eastern edge.
  • It was established in 1980 to protect the hispid hare (Caprolagus hispidus) and pigmy hog (Porcula salvania). 
  • Climate: It has a typical subtropical monsoon climate.
  • Vegetation: It consists of tropical semi-evergreen, moist and dry deciduous.
  • Flora: Euphorbiaceous Scrub, Alstonia scholaris, Garuga pinnata, Aphanamixispolystachya, Toona ciliata, Mesua ferrea, Terminalia chebula, Bischofia javanica, Bridelia retusa, Mellotus Repandus etc.
  • Fauna: Pigmy Hog and Hispid hare, Asiatic Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, India Bison, Hog Deer, Wild Boar, etc. 

Source: NW

Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state?

Ans: Assam

Q2: Which endangered species is the flagship species of Bornadi WLS?

Ans: Pygmy Hog

BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme

July 25, 2026
BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme

BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme Latest News

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan BHAVYA Rasayan scheme.

About BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme

  • It was launched for the establishment of three dedicated chemical parks across the country.
  • The scheme is designed to promote the development of the chemical industry across the entire value chain, including upstream, downstream and ancillary industries.
  • Financial Outlay: It has a total financial outlay of ₹3,030 crore, (₹3,000 crore for developing common infrastructure facilities and basic utilities within the parks and ₹30 crore towards administrative expenses).
  • Time Period: The scheme will be implemented over five years, from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.

Features of BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme

  • Financial Assistance: The Centre will provide financial assistance of up to ₹1,000 crore for each chemical park, subject to a minimum contribution of ₹500 crore by the respective state government.
  • Selection Process: The chemical parks will be developed by state governments through a challenge-based selection process, with each park requiring at least 2,000 acres (8 sq. km.) of contiguous, encumbrance-free land.
  • The parks will feature plug-and-play infrastructure tailored to the needs of the chemical sector, including
    • Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs), water supply and distribution systems, solvent recovery and distillation facilities, steam generation and distribution networks, interconnected pipeline systems, and logistics and warehousing infrastructure.

Source: PIB

BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme FAQs

Q1: BHAVYA-Rasayan Scheme aims to set up how many chemical parks?

Ans: 3 dedicated Chemical Parks

Q2: What is the minimum state contribution required per chemical park under BHAVYA-Rasayan?

Ans: ₹500 crore

Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme

July 25, 2026
Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme

Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme Latest News

The Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme supports non-farm enterprises through training and financing and by June 2026 it had supported 4.32 lakh rural enterprises across the country.  

About Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme

  • It was launched in 2016,
  • It is a sub-scheme of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
  • Objective: To implement the Government's efforts to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty and unemployment in the villages by helping start and support rural enterprises.

Features of Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme

  • The programme supports Self Help Groups (SHGs) and their family members in establishing small enterprises in the non-farm sector.
  • It provides financial assistance, institutional support, business management training, soft skill development, and business development services.
  • SVEP also facilitates access to banking linkages and convergence with government schemes.
  • A key feature of SVEP has been community-based decision-making for funding and supporting enterprises locally.
  • It has adopted an all-inclusive approach, with a strong focus on supporting women, marginalized communities, and individuals with limited educational attainment.
  • Implemented By: SVEP is implemented through the State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs).
    • At the block level, Block Resource Centres–Enterprise Promotion (BRC-EPs) coordinate programme implementation.
    • Trained Community Resource Persons–Enterprise Promotion (CRP-EPs) provide technical assistance to the Block Resource Centres on enterprise promotion.

Source: PIB

Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme FAQs

Q1: Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme is implemented under which larger mission?

Ans: Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission

Q2: Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme was launched in which year?

Ans: 2016

Spain

July 25, 2026
Spain

Spain Latest News

Recently, over 1,66,000 people were evacuated in France and Spain as unprecedented forest fires raged near Madrid and Bordeaux. 

About Spain

  • Location: It is located on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe.
  • Bordering Countries: It shares its borders with Portugal (to the west), France and Andorra (to the northeast), and the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar (to the south).
  • Maritime borders: It is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea (to the southeast and east), the Bay of Biscay (to the north), and the Atlantic Ocean (to the northwest and southwest).
  • Capital City: Madrid

Geographical Features of Spain

  • Mountain ranges: The Pyrenees Mountains form a natural barrier between Spain and France.
  • Plateaus: The Meseta Central is a vast interior plateau, dominating the central part of Spain.
  • Rivers: Spain is traversed by important rivers such as:
    • Ebro River – flows into the Mediterranean.
    • Tagus River – shared with Portugal.
  • Desert feature: Spain hosts the Tabernas Desert in Andalusia, recognized as the only true desert in mainland Europe.
  • Natural Resources: It mainly consists of copper, fluorspar, gypsum, iron ore, kaolin, lead, magnesite, mercury, pyrites, sepiolite, tungsten, uranium, and zinc.

Source: TH

Spain FAQs

Q1: Which strait separates Spain from Morocco?

Ans: Strait of Gibraltar

Q2: Which river is the longest river in Spain?

Ans: Tagus / Tajo River

Ceratocaudia antigua

July 25, 2026
Ceratocaudia antigua

Ceratocaudia antigua Latest News

Scientists recently discovered a new species of long-necked dinosaur named Ceratocaudia antiqua in western India that possessed a unique, horn-like tail crest.

About Ceratocaudia antigua

  • It is a new species of long-necked dinosaur.
  • It was discovered following excavations in the Kaladongar Formation of the Kachchh Basin in the Kutch district of Gujarat. 
  • Living roughly 170 to 180 million years ago during the Jurassic period, this diminutive giant reaches only about seven meters in length, significantly smaller than its more famous 20-meter-long relatives like Brachiosaurus. 
  • Ceratocaudia is distinguished by several physical traits that set it apart from its closest relatives. 
    • The most striking feature is a curved, horn-like crest atop its front tailbones. 
    • It also possessed a unique notch on its neck vertebrae and specific shapes in its lower leg bones, the tibia and fibula, which have not been seen in other sauropods.
    • Furthermore, its tail vertebrae show a rare transition from flat-ended joints to "ball-and-socket" joints near the tip, a feature usually reserved for much later dinosaur species. 
  • The name Ceratocaudia antiqua reflects these physical and historical traits. 
    • The genus name is derived from the Greek words ‘cerato’ (meaning horn) and ‘caud’ (meaning tail), referring to the unique spike on its vertebrae. 
    • The species name, ‘antiqua’, is Latin for "old" or "ancient," highlighting that this is one of the earliest known macronarian dinosaurs, a group of long-necked giants characterised by their large, boxy skulls and wide nostrils.
  • Ceratocaudia now stands as the earliest diagnosable member of its lineage in India and one of the oldest in the world .

News: RM

Ceratocaudia antigua FAQ's

Q1: What is Ceratocaudia antiqua?

Ans: It is a new species of long-necked dinosaur.

Q2: Where was Ceratocaudia antiqua discovered?

Ans: It was discovered in the Kaladongar Formation of the Kachchh Basin in the Kutch district of Gujarat.

Q3: During which geological period did Ceratocaudia antiqua live?

Ans: The Jurassic Period, about 170–180 million years ago.

Q4: What is the most distinctive feature of Ceratocaudia antiqua?

Ans: A curved, horn-like crest on its front tail vertebrae.

Q5: To which group of dinosaurs does Ceratocaudia antiqua belong?

Ans: It belongs to the macronarian group of long-necked dinosaurs.

Lake Mansarovar

July 25, 2026
Lake Mansarovar

Lake Mansarovar Latest News

The wish of pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to take a holy dip in Lake Mansarovar remained unfulfilled yet again this year, as Chinese authorities continued to prohibit bathing in the lake. 

About Lake Mansarovar

  • It is a large freshwater lake situated in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
  • It is regarded as one of the holiest lakes in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon. 
  • The lake covers an area of 410 sq.km. and lies at an altitude of 4,590 meters/15,060 feet. 
  • It is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world.
  • It is located adjacent to Lake Rakshastal, which is a saltwater lake. The two lakes are connected by the Ganga Chhu channel. 
  • The highest peak in the surrounding range is Gurla Mandata (7694 meters). To the north of the lake is magnificent Mount Kailash.
  • The waters of the lake are so clear with transparency up to 14 meters.
  • The Kailash Manasarovar region is a source of 4 great rivers flowing across Asia, including the Ganges (also known as the Karnali, the longest river in Nepal), flows on the south side, whereas the Indus, the Sutlej, and the Brahmaputra (the Yarlung Tsangpo) in the east, west, and north, respectively. 
  • At present, along with the shores of Mansarovar, there are 5 Buddhist monasteries, and out of those five, Chiu Monastery is the most popular and is located on the northwest shore of the lake. 

News: ETVB

Lake Mansarovar FAQs

Q1: Where is Lake Mansarovar located?

Ans: It is located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Q2: At what altitude is Lake Mansarovar situated?

Ans: 4,590 metres (15,060 feet) above sea level.

Q3: Which saltwater lake lies adjacent to Lake Mansarovar?

Ans: Lake Rakshastal.

Q4: Which mountain lies to the north of Lake Mansarovar?

Ans: Mount Kailash.

Chenab River

July 25, 2026
Chenab River

Chenab River Latest News

India rejected Pakistani media reports regarding Chenab River flooding "baseless" and said that the recent rise in water levels in the Chenab river is due to heavy monsoon rainfall over Jammu and adjoining catchment areas. 

About Chenab River

  • It is a tributary of the Indus River.
  • Origin: It is formed by the confluence of two streams, Chandra and Bhaga, in the Lahaul and Spiti Districts of Himachal Pradesh.
  • In its upper reaches, it is also known as the Chandrabhaga.
  • It flows through Jammu and Kashmir union territory, Himachal Pradesh and after receiving the Jhelum River near Trimmu, the Chenab empties into the Sutlej River.
  • Major Tributaries:
    • Left Bank:  Niru, Tawi, Neeru, and Liddrari
    • Right Bank: Ans, Bhut Nalla, Bichleri, Kalnai Marusudar and Miyar Nalla.
  • Major Dams on Chenab River: Salal (rockfill dam), Aalal (concrete dam), Baglihar, and Dul. 
  • The waters of the Chenab are shared by India and Pakistan as per the terms of the Indus Water Treaty.

Source: TH

Chenab River FAQ's

Q1: Chenab River is formed by the confluence of which two rivers?

Ans: Chandra and Bhaga

Q2: Chenab is a tributary of which river?

Ans: Indus River

Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary

July 25, 2026
Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary

Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

A 26-year-old farmer was critically injured in a suspected leopard attack in the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in the Balasore district recently.

About Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary

  • It is situated in the Balasore District of Odisha.
  • It is spread across the Chota Nagpur Plateau region.
  • It covers an area about 300 sq.km., connected to Simlipal National Park through hills called Sukhupada and Nato.  
  • It is characterized by its complex topography, which includes rolling hills, valleys, and plateaus that contribute to its microclimates.  
  • The local tribal communities, including the Santhal and Munda, maintain a deep-rooted spiritual connection to Kuldiha. 
  • The sanctuary is also home to unique geological formations, such as the ancient rock shelters adorned with petroglyphs that date back thousands of years.
  • Vegetation: It contains mixed deciduous forest.
  • Flora: It  is dominated by species such as Sal (Shorea robusta) and various bamboo species.
  • Fauna: 
    • The dense forests of the region are home to wild animals like the elephants, leopards, deer, bison and Malabar giant squirrels. 
    • The forest also houses a variety of birds. Some of them are like white-rumped shama, parrot, hornbills, and peafowl. 

News: NIE

Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: Where is Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary located?

Ans: It is located in the Balasore district of Odisha.

Q2: In which physiographic region is Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary situated?

Ans: The Chota Nagpur Plateau region.

Q3: Which national park is connected to Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Simlipal National Park.

Q4: Which tribal communities have a deep-rooted spiritual connection with Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: The Santhal and Munda communities.

Q5: What type of vegetation is found in Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Mixed deciduous forest.

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