UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 28 July 2026

Atmanirbhar Panchayat Program

July 28, 2026

Atmanirbhar Panchayat Program Latest News

Recently, the Union Minister of Panchayati Raj launched the Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme and the SAMARTH Panchayat Portal.

About Atmanirbhar Panchayat Program

It is a unique initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
It enables Gram Panchayats and Block Panchayats to identify local assets and opportunities and develop them, with dedicated technical support from the Ministry, into bankable, revenue-generating projects that build sustainable Own Source of Revenue (OSR).
Financing: It is facilitated through Public Private Partnerships, Corporate Social Responsibility contributions, convergence with other schemes and bank finance, with NABARD and HUDCO as institutional partners.
Target: A total of 350 projects are to be developed over four years, comprising 50 projects in the first year and 100 in each of the following three years.
Eligibility: Gram Panchayats with a minimum OSR of Rs. 50 lakh and Block Panchayats with a minimum OSR of Rs. 1 crore, each with at least three years of tenure remaining, are eligible to apply, with relaxed thresholds for special category States.

What is the SAMARTH Portal?

It is a first-of-its-kind digital initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj designed to strengthen the financial capacity of Gram Panchayats through technology-enabled management of OSR.
It is developed as a unified, configurable national platform which enables Gram Panchayats to digitally manage the complete OSR lifecycle, from taxpayer registration and demand generation to online payments, collection and real-time monitoring.
Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh have already been onboarded on the portal.

Source: PIB

Atmanirbhar Panchayat Program FAQs

Q1: The 'Atmanirbhar Panchayat Program' is launched by which ministry?

Ans: Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Q2: What is the primary objective of Atmanirbhar Panchayat Program?

Ans: Make Gram Panchayats self-reliant through infrastructure and governance

National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2

July 28, 2026

National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2 Latest News

Recently, the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), informed the Lok Sabha about National Apprenticeship Promotion (NAPS -2) Scheme-2.

About National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2

It is implemented throughout the country from 2022-23 by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship with the aim to promote apprenticeship training across India.
The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme’ (NAPS) was launched in August, 2016 with the objective to promote apprenticeship training and to increase the engagement of apprentices.
Under NAPS-2, the Government provides partial stipend support to apprentices engaged under the Apprentices Act, 1961.

Features of NAPS-2

Financial support through DBT: Government provides stipend support to eligible apprentices engaged by establishments under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
The Government's share being released directly to beneficiaries through a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.
Industry-led training: Apprenticeship training is conducted in actual work environments using the training facilities available with participating establishments, enabling hands-on learning and industry exposure.
Technology-enabled implementation: A dedicated online portal facilitates end-to-end implementation of apprenticeship training, including registration, contract approval, monitoring and disbursement ofbenefits.
Facilitation through TPAs: Mobilisation of apprentices and establishments, particularly MSMEs, is supported through empanelled ThirdParty Aggregators (TPAs).

Source: PIB

National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2 FAQs

Q1: National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2.0 is implemented by which ministry?

Ans: Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship

Q2: What is a key difference between NAPS 1.0 and NAPS 2.0?

Ans: NAPS 2.0 focuses on DBT and digital platform

Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY)

July 28, 2026

Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana Latest News

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) recently approved extension of the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) from 01.07.2026 to 30.06.2027.

About Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana

It is an unemployment relief scheme for workers covered under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act.
It was introduced on July 1, 2018. It is being implemented by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
It provides temporary financial assistance to insured employees who lose their jobs, helping them meet expenses while searching for fresh employment.
Benefits: The scheme provides relief to the extent of 50% of the average daily earnings during the previous four contribution periods (total earnings during the four contribution periods/730) to be paid up to a maximum of 90 days of unemployment once in the Insured Person’s lifetime.
The Eligibility Criteria to Avail Benefit under the ABVKY is as under:
- The employees must be covered under Section 2(9) of the ESI Act of 1948;
- During the period of the claim for relief, the Insured Person (IP) must be unemployed;
- The IP must have worked in insurable employment for at least two years.
- The IP’s contribution should not be less than 78 days during each of the four contribution periods.
- The contribution in respect of him should have been paid or payable by the employer.
- The IP’s Aadhar and bank account must be linked.
Relief under ABVKY shall not be admissible in the following circumstance:
- During lockout.
- Strike resorted to by the employees declared illegal by the competent authority.
- Voluntary abandonment of employment/voluntary retirement/premature retirement.
- Less than two years of contributory service.
- On attaining the age of superannuation.
- Convicted (i.e. punished for a false statement) under the provisions of Section 84 of the ESI Act read with Rule 62 of the ESI (Central) Rule
- On being re-employed elsewhere during the period he/she is in receipt of relief under ABVKY.
- Dismissal/termination under disciplinary action.
- On the death of the IP.
The claim for relief under ABVKY may be submitted by the claimant any time after rendering unemployed, but not later than one year from the date of unemployment.

News: PIB

Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana FAQs

Q1: What is the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY)?

Ans: It is an unemployment relief scheme for workers covered under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act.

Q2: Which organization implements the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana?

Ans: The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

Q3: How much unemployment relief is provided under the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana?

Ans: Relief equal to 50% of the average daily earnings during the previous four contribution periods.

Q4: For how many days can an insured person receive relief under the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana?

Ans: Up to 90 days of unemployment.

Q5: How many times can an insured person avail the benefit under the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana?

Ans: Only once in the insured person's lifetime.

Microporellus kolhapurensis

July 28, 2026

Microporellus kolhapurensis Latest News

A new fungus species of polypore (bracket) named Microporellus kolhapurensis, was discovered in Bhudargad taluka in Kolhapur district.

About Microporellus kolhapurensis

It is a new fungus species of polypore (bracket).
It was discovered in Bhudargad taluka in Kolhapur District, Maharashtra.
The fungus was found on rotting wood.
This particular Microporellus fungus species fruits from July to September, and mainly grows singly.
The characteristics of the yellowish-orange to grayish-brown species are distinct from other closely related species due to its
- umbrella-shaped structure
- lateral stalk
- ground-growing nature
- large pores
- teardrop-shaped spores, and
- distinctive thick-walled cystidia (large cells found on the spore-bearing surfaces of certain fungi that do not make spores themselves).

What are Polypores?

Polypores, also called bracket or shelf fungi, are a group of fungi so named because of the pores present on the underside of their fruiting body.
The pores of a polypore fungi are used to house their spores, which are microscopic particles that allow fungi to be reproduced, much like seeds are to a plant.
The function of pores is to increase the surface area that spores can attach to.
These pores look different on the underside of different polypores, but are generally circular and regularly spaced along the surface.
Polypores are also called bracket fungi due to their shelf-like appearance.
They can often be seen on living trees or fallen logs. Some polypores have a short stalk to attach them to their substrate.
They damage healthy trees but also help to break down dead trees.
Their mycelium is embedded inside the trunks of their host trees, with only their fruiting bodies being visible.

News: TOI

Microporellus kolhapurensis FAQs

Q1: What is Microporellus kolhapurensis?

Ans: It is a newly discovered species of polypore (bracket) fungus.

Q2: Where was Microporellus kolhapurensis discovered?

Ans: It was discovered in Bhudargad taluka of Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.

Q3: On what substrate was Microporellus kolhapurensis found?

Ans: Rotting wood.

Q4: What is the colour of Microporellus kolhapurensis?

Ans: It is yellowish-orange to grayish-brown in colour.

Q5: Does Microporellus kolhapurensis usually grow singly or in clusters?

Ans: It mainly grows singly.

Kalpasar Project

July 28, 2026

Kalpasar Project Latest News

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Gujarat’s ambitious Gulf of Khambhat (Kalpasar) Project is at an advanced stage of finalisation, the Centre informed the Rajya Sabha recently.

About Kalpasar Project

The Kalpasar Project, or the Gulf of Khambhat Development Project, is a proposed multipurpose water infrastructure project in Gujarat.
It aims to cater to the irrigation, drinking water, transport, and energy demands of Gujarat’s Saurashtra region.
The project proposes a 64-km-long dam across the Gulf of Khambhat to create a reservoir spanning around 2,000 sq.km., one of the world’s largest coastal freshwater reservoirs.
- The aim is to trap freshwater flowing from several rivers into the gulf and create a giant reservoir.
- The proposed reservoir will have a gross storage capacity of 13,000 million cubic metres (MCM), larger than the Sardar Sarovar dam’s 9,460 MCM.
- The reservoir will receive water from four major rivers – Sabarmati, Mahi, Dhadhar, and Narmada.
The project is expected to significantly enhance freshwater availability and help address water scarcity in the Saurashtra region.
It is expected to irrigate nearly 10 lakh hectares across nine districts of Saurashtra.
Besides water storage, the project proposes a highway-cum-rail corridor over the dam.
- The corridor is expected to reduce the travel distance between Bhavnagar and Surat by around 179 kilometres, bringing it down from about 356 km to approximately 177 km via the proposed dyke corridor.
The project also envisages the development of around 2,470 MW of hybrid renewable energy capacity on reclaimed land that remains submerged during high tide.
- The renewable energy generated is proposed to be used, among other purposes, for pumping freshwater to meet irrigation requirements in the coastal regions of Saurashtra.
The Netherlands is providing technical expertise and engineering cooperation for the Kalpasar Project.

News: DDI

Kalpasar Project FAQs

Q1: What is the Kalpasar Project?

Ans: The Kalpasar Project is a proposed multipurpose water infrastructure project in Gujarat across the Gulf of Khambhat.

Q2: What is another name for the Kalpasar Project?

Ans: The Gulf of Khambhat Development Project.

Q3: What is the primary objective of the Kalpasar Project?

Ans: To meet the irrigation, drinking water, transport, and energy needs of Gujarat's Saurashtra region.

Q4: How long is the proposed dam under the Kalpasar Project?

Ans: 64 kilometres.

Q5: Which region is expected to benefit most from the Kalpasar Project?

Ans: The Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

Bab el-Mandeb Strait

July 28, 2026

Bab el-Mandeb Strait Latest News

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait has returned to the geopolitical spotlight after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia.

About Bab el-Mandeb Strait

It is also known as the “Gate of Tears” in Arabic, referring to the large number of shipwrecks that have occurred in this region.
Location: It lies at the southern tip of the Red Sea, between Yemen and the Horn of Africa. It connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and further to the Indian Ocean.
It also separates Arabia, in the northeast, from the African continent, in the southwest.
It further acts as a link between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
The strait is 30 kilometers (KM) wide and is divided into two channels by the Yemeni island of Perim, with the eastern channel being called Alexander’s Strait, while the western-lying Dact-el-Mayun Channel.
Significance: It is a crucial link in the trade route connecting the Mediterranean to Asia.
- Ships transporting goods between Europe and Asia, as well as Middle Eastern oil bound for Europe and North America, pass through it when using Egypt’s Suez Canal.

Source: TH

Bab el-Mandeb Strait FAQs

Q1: Which two bodies of water does the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connect?

Ans: Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

Q2: Where is the island of Perim is located?

Ans: Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Blue Straggler Star

July 28, 2026

Blue Straggler Star Latest News

Recently, Indian astronomers, along with their international collaborators, have reported the rare discovery of a Blue Straggler Star (BSS).

About Blue Straggler Star

These are a peculiar class of stars found in star clusters that appear hotter, brighter, and more massive than their peers.
They have a different trajectory of evolution from the norm.
These are observed in old, dense stellar systems such as globular clusters.
They lie on an extension of the main sequence star and are bluer and brighter than the main-sequence turn-off stars.
These objects are found in star clusters, dwarf galaxies, and in the field

How are Blue Straggler Stars Different?

There are a few stars, when they are expected to start expanding in size and cooling down, do just the opposite.
They grow brighter and hotter as indicated by their blue colour, thus standing out from the cooler red stars in their vicinity in the colour-magnitude diagram.
Since they lag behind their peers in evolution, they are called stragglers, more specifically, blue stragglers, because of their hot, blue colour.

Why do they Behave Differently?

Possibility 1: They do not belong to the family of stars in the cluster, and hence not expected to have the group properties.
Possibility 2: The straggler draws matter from the giant companion star and grows more massive, hot and blue, and the red giant to end up as a normal or smaller white dwarf.
Possibility 3: The straggler draws matter from a companion star, but that there is a third star that facilitates this process.

Source: PIB

Blue Straggler Star FAQs

Q1: Where does Blue Straggler Stars are found?

Ans: Globular Clusters

Q2: Which space telescope has observed many Blue Stragglers?

Ans: Hubble Space Telescope

Bhargavastra

July 28, 2026

Bhargavastra Latest News

A new counter-swarm drone system called 'Bhargavastra' has been showcased to the army.

About Bhargavastra

It is India’s first indigenous micro-missile system designed to take on the threat of swarm drones.
It was developed by the Economic Explosives Ltd.

Features of Bhargavastra

It has a dual-layered kill mechanism.
It combines unguided micro-rockets with a lethal radius of 20 metres and precision-guided micro-missiles capable of intercepting targets up to 2.5 kilometres away.
It can detect larger UAVs up to a range of 10 km and 6 km for smaller drones.
It uses a combination of radar, Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors and passive radio-frequency (RF) sensors integrated through a Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) architecture for UAV detection.
It is designed to operate across a diverse set of terrain, ranging from deserts to snow bound high altitude regions over 5,000 metres.
In addition to kinetic strikes using missiles, the system employs soft-kill techniques such as electronic jamming, providing a comprehensive layered defence.
It is capable of neutralising both individual drones and coordinated swarms.
It is particularly effective against swarms of autonomous drones.
The system offers a cheaper alternative to deploying expensive surface-to-air missiles against relatively low-cost drones, improving the cost-exchange ratio in counter-drone operations.

Source: TOI

Bhargavastra FAQs

Q1: Bhargavastra has been developed by which company?

Ans: Economic Explosives Ltd.

Q2: What type of missiles does Bhargavastra use to neutralize drones?

Ans: Guided Micro-missiles

Museum Grant Scheme

July 28, 2026

Museum Grant Scheme Latest News

The Union Minister for Culture and Tourism recently informed the Lok Sabha that the Ministry of Culture is executing the Museum Grant Scheme.

About Museum Grant Scheme

It is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
It was launched in 2013.
It provides financial assistance for setting up new museums and strengthening and modernizing existing ones at regional, state, and district levels.
The scheme also promotes digitization of museum collections to make images and catalogues accessible online and focuses on capacity building of museum professionals.
It supports institutions such as Central and State Governments, Public Sector Undertakings, Societies, Autonomous Bodies, Local Bodies, Academic Institutions, and Trusts registered under the Societies Act.
The scheme also aims to develop at least 1 Central/State Government Museum located in the State Capital each year.
Museums are categorised into three groups under the scheme, with distinct funding norms according to ownership and status.
- Category I: Existing renowned museums of the Central or State Governments located in the state capitals.
- Category II: Central or State Govt. owned museums, including museums of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
- Category III: Projects of Societies, Autonomous bodies, local bodies, Public Sector Undertaking, Academic Institutions and Trusts registered as a society under the Indian Societies Act of 1860 (XXI) or a similar legislation of the state governments, or as a Public Trust under any law.
Funding Pattern:
- The scheme allocates up to Rs 15 crore for Category I museums, up to Rs 10 crore for establishing new Category II museums, and up to Rs 8 crore for the development of existing Category II museums.
- For Category III museums, funding of up to Rs 5 crore is available to set up new museums, and up to Rs 4 crore for improvement of existing ones.
- Dedicated financial assistance is available for digitisation of museum collections and for training museum professionals.
- Category I museums can receive up to Rs 50 lakh, while Category II museums are eligible for assistance up to Rs 25 lakh for these purposes.

News: NM

Museum Grant Scheme FAQs

Q1: What is the Museum Grant Scheme?

Ans: It is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

Q2: What is the primary objective of the Museum Grant Scheme?

Ans: To provide financial assistance for setting up new museums and strengthening and modernizing existing museums.

Q3: Does the Museum Grant Scheme support the digitization of museum collections?

Ans: Yes, it promotes the digitization of museum collections to make images and catalogues accessible online.

Q4: What does the Museum Grant Scheme do to strengthen museum professionals?

Ans: It provides support for the capacity building and training of museum professionals.

Q5: What is the maximum financial assistance available for Category I museums under the Museum Grant Scheme

Ans: Up to ₹15 crore.

National Biodiversity Authority

July 28, 2026

National Biodiversity Authority Latest News

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) recently constituted an Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species to address the growing ecological and socio-economic risks posed by such species across the country.

About National Biodiversity Authority

It is an autonomous, statutory body established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Functions: The NBA performs facilitative, regulatory, and advisory functions for the Government of India, particularly on matters related to the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of biological resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from them.
Advisory Role:
- This includes recommending policies, strategies, and action plans to both central and state governments.
- A key advisory function involves guiding state governments on the selection of areas of biodiversity importance to be notified as heritage sites and recommending measures for managing such sites.
Regulatory Role:
- The NBA regulates activities and issues guidelines for access to biological resources and for fair and equitable sharing of benefits.
- Foreign individuals or corporate bodies seeking to obtain biological resources or associated traditional knowledge for research, surveys, or commercial use must obtain prior approval from the NBA.
- The NBA is required to determine the terms of benefit-sharing while granting approvals.
- Indian citizens and companies, on the other hand, seek permissions from their respective SBBs for commercial purposes.
- It is mandatory to obtain prior approval from the NBA before applying for any intellectual property right – in India or abroad – that is based on a biological resource of Indian origin or associated traditional knowledge.
Facilitative Role:
- Beyond regulation and advice, the NBA actively facilitates conservation action on the ground.
- It supports the establishment and capacity-building of State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), organises awareness and training programmes, and monitors and prevents actions prohibited under the Act.
- It also works to ensure that monetary and non-monetary benefits from bio-resources reach the local communities that have traditionally conserved them.
Composition:
- Chairperson: An eminent person with proven knowledge and experience in biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of biological resources, and equitable sharing of benefits.
- 10 Ex officio Members: Senior representatives from the Government of India, nominated to provide policy insights and ensure inter-ministerial coordination.
- 5 Non-Official Members: Experts and professionals from diverse fields related to biodiversity management, nominated to contribute independent perspectives and specialized expertise.
- All members are appointed by the Central Government.
Structure: The Act establishes a three-tier institutional structure: the NBA at the national level, the State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) at the state level, and the Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the local body level.
- State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs): Functioning at the state level to regulate access to biological resources within their jurisdiction.
- Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs): Established at the local village or panchayat level to promote grassroots-level biodiversity conservation and documentation.

News: NOA

National Biodiversity Authority FAQs

Q1: What is the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)?

Ans: It is an autonomous statutory body established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

Q2: Where is the headquarters of the National Biodiversity Authority located?

Ans: Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Q3: What is the main objective of the National Biodiversity Authority?

Ans: To conserve biodiversity, ensure sustainable use of biological resources, and promote fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use.

Q4: What is the regulatory role of the National Biodiversity Authority?

Ans: To regulate access to biological resources and associated traditional knowledge and ensure fair benefit-sharing.