UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 31 July 2026

by Vajiram & Ravi - 31 July 2026

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 31 July 2026, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

July 31, 2026
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

Alanine aminotransferase Latest News

The Union Health Ministry has urged people to monitor alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels as an early indicator of liver injury.

About Alanine aminotransferase

  • Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), also known as serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), is an enzyme found predominantly inside liver cells, though it exists in other parts of your body. 
  • It plays a key role in the metabolism of amino acids, breaking them down to produce energy for the body’s essential functions. 
  • Usually, you will have low levels of ALT in your blood. But when liver cells are damaged due to conditions like inflammation, infection, or injury, the enzyme leaks into the bloodstream. 
  • High levels of ALT in your blood may be a sign of a liver injury or disease.  
  • However, since ALT is also present in smaller amounts in other parts of the body, an elevated ALT level does not necessarily indicate liver disease and should prompt further evaluation to identify the source of the abnormality.
  • ALT is one component of the liver function test, which includes other liver enzymes and measures of liver function. 
  • Although ALT is a sensitive indicator of ongoing liver injury, patients can still have significant liver disease despite normal ALT values.
  • ALT testing is performed on a blood sample, with results typically available within a few hours. 
  • Although many laboratories consider ALT levels below 40 units per litre as normal, interpretation depends on the patient’s condition. 
    • For example, lower thresholds are often applied in people with chronic hepatitis B or C.

News: TH

Alanine aminotransferase FAQs

Q1: What is Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)?

Ans: ALT is an enzyme found predominantly inside liver cells that plays a key role in amino acid metabolism.

Q2: Why are Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) levels normally low in the blood?

Ans: Because ALT is normally contained within liver cells.

Q3: What causes Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) levels in the blood to increase?

Ans: Damage to liver cells, causing ALT to leak into the bloodstream.

Q4: Can elevated Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) levels occur without liver disease?

Ans: Yes, because ALT is also present in smaller amounts in other body tissues.

Q5: Does an elevated Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) level always indicate liver disease?

Ans: No, further evaluation is needed to determine the cause.

Kh-101 Missile

July 31, 2026
Kh-101 Missile

Kh-101 Missile Latest News

A suspected Russian Kh-101 missile landed in eastern Poland recently, creating security tensions on NATO's eastern flank. 

About Kh-101 Missile

  • The Kh-101 (NATO: AS-23A Kodiak) is a Russian-made advanced stealthy long-range subsonic cruise missile that is launched from a strategic bomber.   
  • The missile was developed in the late 1990s by Russia's Tactical Missile Armament Corporation (KTRV). 
  • It is designed to destroy ground targets such as buildings, bunkers, and military installations.  
  • The Kh-101 is primarily carried by Russia's strategic bombers, such as the Tu-95MS, Tu-160, and Tu-22M3, as well as the Tu-142 maritime surveillance aircraft.  

Kh-101 Missile Features

  • The missile has a streamlined airframe, which is optimized for low observability and minimal radar cross-section.
  • It has a length of approximately 7.5 m and a wingspan of about 4.4 m. 
  • The missile is powered by a turbofan engine and is capable of flying at a maximum speed of Mach 0.76. 
  • It has a range of 2,500 km to 3,000 km.
  • It can carry a variety of conventional warheads, including high explosive, penetrator, and cluster munitions. 
  • The Kh-101 features advanced guidance and control systems, including inertial navigation, satellite navigation, and terrain mapping, which enable it to navigate and strike targets with high precision.

Kh-101 Missile Variants

  • Over the years, the Kh-101 has undergone several upgrades and modifications to improve its performance and capabilities. 
  • For example, a newer version, the Kh-102, was introduced in 2015, which reportedly has a longer range and improved accuracy compared to the Kh-101.
  • It is the nuclear-capable version of Kh-101.

News: DEVD

Kh-101 Missile FAQ's

Q1: What is the Kh-101 missile?

Ans: The Kh-101 is an advanced stealthy air-launched long-range subsonic cruise missile.

Q2: Which country developed the Kh-101 missile?

Ans: Russia.

Q3: What is the NATO reporting name of the Kh-101 missile?

Ans: AS-23A Kodiak.

Q4: What is the operational range of the Kh-101 missile?

Ans: Approximately 2,500–3,000 km.

Moken People

July 31, 2026
Moken People

Moken People Latest News

Scientists recently confirmed that Moken sea nomad children living on the Andaman Sea can see underwater with twice the clarity of other children, constricting their pupils to dolphin-like precision through years of ocean training.

About Moken People

  • Often called sea nomads or sea gypsies, the Moken are seafaring people who have been living off the coast of Thailand and Myanmar on the Andaman Sea.
  • Their name, in their own language, means "sea drowned."
  • The Moken have lived across the Andaman Sea for centuries, moving between the roughly 800 islands that stretch along the coastlines of Myanmar and Thailand.
  • They are one of the last sea nomad peoples in the world.
  • Traditionally, they travel in wooden vessels called kabang, moving with the seasons and tides. 
  • Fishing, diving, and gathering shellfish form the backbone of their subsistence lifestyle, and from a very young age, Moken children are immersed in the marine environment.  
  • Possessing a rich knowledge of the reefs, the Moken have exceptional underwater skills such as free diving and spear hunting. 
  • They have their own language, which is Austronesian, a language used in Southeast Asia and Oceania. 
  • Most Moken are stateless as a result of their nomadic lifestyle. They have no citizenship in Thailand or Myanmar.
  • They came into the international spotlight following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami because they managed to sense warning signs from nature in the form of the water receding back into the ocean and moving away from dangerous areas.

News: ET

Moken People FAQs

Q1: Who are the Moken people?

Ans: The Moken are sea nomads (sea gypsies) who live off the coasts of Thailand and Myanmar in the Andaman Sea.

Q2: Why are the Moken known as "sea nomads"?

Ans: Because they traditionally live and travel by sea, moving between islands according to the seasons and tides.

Q3: What are the traditional wooden boats used by the Moken called?

Ans: Kabang.

Q4: Why do the Moken have exceptional underwater abilities?

Ans: Because they are immersed in the marine environment from a very young age.

Alanine aminotransferase

July 31, 2026
Alanine aminotransferase

Alanine aminotransferase Latest News

Recently, the Union Health Ministry has urged people to monitor alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels as an early indicator of liver injury.

About Alanine aminotransferase

  • It is also known as serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), is an enzyme found predominantly inside liver cells.
  •  It is also found in other tissues such as the kidneys, heart, and muscle cells. 
  •  It plays a crucial role in metabolism, turning food into energy.
  • ALT is one component of the liver function test, which includes other liver enzymes and measures of liver function.
  • The ALT test is often part of an initial screening for liver disease.

What is an ALT Test?

  • An ALT test is also known as a serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) test or an alanine transaminase test.
  • When liver cells are damaged or inflamed, ALT leaks into the bloodstream. This causes serum ALT levels to rise.
  • An increase in ALT is often the first sign of a liver problem, and ALT is often elevated before other symptoms appear.
  • ALT testing is performed on a blood sample.

Source: TH

Alanine aminotransferase FAQs

Q1: Where does Alanine aminotransferase found?

Ans: It is mainly found in Liver cells.

Q2: What is the normal function of ALT?

Ans: Transfer amino group from alanine to alpha-ketoglutarate

INS NIPUN

July 31, 2026
INS NIPUN

INS NIPUN Latest News

Recently, the INS Nipun was delivered to the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam. 

About INS NIPUN

  • It is the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited.
  • The vessel has been designed and constructed in accordance with Classification Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
  •  ‘Nipun’ draws her name from Sanskrit signifying ‘one who is adept, capable, and well versed in a particular discipline’.
  • This ship is highly specialised and is capable of undertaking deep sea dive operations and rescue operations at sea.

Features of INS NIPUN

  • The ship is installed with state-of-the-art Dive Equipment and has capability to undertake Deep Sea Saturation Diving. 
  • It is equipped with advanced dynamic positioning systems, saturation diving equipment, submarine rescue machinery, and deep-sea intervention tools.
  • It would also serve as the Mother Ship for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV), to evacuate personnel in case of an emergency in a submarine.
  • It has nearly 75 percent Indigenous Content.

Source: PIB

INS NIPUN FAQs

Q1: INS NIPUN is which type of vessel of the Indian Navy?

Ans: Diving Support Vessel

Q2: What is the Primary role of INS NIPUN?

Ans: Underwater salvage, ROV ops and diving support

Urban Challenge Fund

July 31, 2026
Urban Challenge Fund

Urban Challenge Fund Latest News

The government has so far approved or accorded in-principle approval to 33 projects under the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), Union minister informed the Lok Sabha recently.

About Urban Challenge Fund 

  • It is a new centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
  • It supports transformative and bankable urban projects through competitive "challenge-mode". 
  • Financial Outlay: Total Central assistance of ₹1 lakh crore.
  • Tenure: It will be operational from FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31, with an extendable implementation period up to FY 2033–34.
  • Under UCF, cities will be supported to do projects under three verticals, 
    • Creative development of cities
    • Cities as growth hubs
    • Water and sanitation
  • Cities will be expected to take reforms in urban governance, urban finance, and urban planning.
  • Features:
    • Centre’s assistance under the scheme is capped at 25 percent of the cost of bankable projects. 
      • This will lead to a total investment of ₹4 lakh crore in the urban sector in the next five years.
    • At least 50 percent of the project cost has to be mobilised through market-based sources such as municipal bonds, bank loans, and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
    • The remaining share may be contributed by States, Union Territories (UTs), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), or other sources.
    • Projects will be selected through a transparent and competitive challenge mode, ensuring support to high-impact and reform-oriented proposals.
    • Private sector participation will be encouraged through structured risk-sharing frameworks and benchmarking of service delivery standards.
    • Credit Repayment Guarantee for Smaller Cities:
      • In order to facilitate first-time access to market finance for all Cities/ULBs in Northeastern & Hilly States and smaller ULBs (<1,00,000 population) in other States/UTs, a Credit Repayment Guarantee Scheme of ₹5,000 crore has been approved. 
      • The scheme will provide a Central guarantee of up to ₹7 crore or 70 percent of the loan amount (whichever is lower) for first-time loans. 
  • The Fund will cover:
    • All cities with a population of 10 lakh or more (2025 estimates);
    • All State and Union Territory capitals not covered above; and
    • Major industrial cities with a population of 1 lakh or more
    • Additionally, all ULBs in hilly states, Northeastern States, and smaller ULBs with a population below 1 lakh will be eligible for support under the Credit Repayment Guarantee Scheme. 
    • In principle all cities will be covered under UCF.

News: TP

Urban Challenge Fund FAQs

Q1: What is the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF)?

Ans: It is a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

Q2: What is the objective of the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF)?

Ans: To support transformative and bankable urban projects through a competitive challenge-mode.

Q3: What is the total Central financial outlay under the Urban Challenge Fund?

Ans: ₹1 lakh crore.

Q4: What are the three project verticals under the Urban Challenge Fund?

Ans: Creative development of cities, Cities as Growth Hubs, and Water & Sanitation.

Q5: What is the maximum Central assistance under UCF for a bankable project?

Ans: 25% of the project cost.

NAKSHA Project

July 31, 2026
NAKSHA Project

NAKSHA Project Latest News

The Directorate of Settlement and Land Records (DSLR) prepares to launch its month-long inquiry under the NAKSHA pilot program in Margao and Cuncolim and Panaji city.  

About NAKSHA Project

  • NAKSHA (National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations) is a modern, GIS-based urban land parcel mapping initiative.
  • It aims to revolutionize urban land records across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in States and Union Territories.
  • The program operates under the broader framework of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP).
  • Technology: NAKSHA specifically leverages cutting-edge technology to create highly accurate digital maps for complex urban and peri-urban habitations across multiple states and Union Territories, ensuring our cities are future-ready.
  • Implemented by: The initiative is being implemented with the technical support of Survey of India, National Informatics Centre Services Inc. (NICSI).
  • The Survey of India is the technical partner for NAKSHA programme which is responsible for conducting aerial surveys.
  • Nodal Ministry: It was launched by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development.
  • Objectives of NAKSHA Programme
    • Creates a comprehensive geospatial database for urban land records
    • Uses aerial and field surveys integrated with GIS technology.
    • Enhances land governance, streamlines property records, and supports urban planning.
    • Improves decision-making, ensures efficient land use, and facilitates smoother property transactions.

Source: PIB

NAKSHA Project FAQs

Q1: NAKSHA Project is implemented by which Ministry?

Ans: Ministry of Rural Development

Q2: What is the Key benefit of NAKSHA Project?

Ans: Reduce land disputes and improve urban planning

Crete Island

July 31, 2026
Crete Island

Crete Island Latest News

Thousands of people were evacuated recently as fires threatened a tourist resort on the Greek island of Crete and continued to rage, fanned by violent winds.

About Crete Island

  • It is the largest island of Greece. 
  • It is located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea (an arm of the Mediterranean Sea) 160 km to the south of the mainland of Greece. 
  • Covering an area of 8,336 sq.km, it is the fifth-largest Mediterranean Sea island. 
  • It is bordered by the Sea of Crete in the north, the Libyan Sea in the south, the Myrtoan Sea in the west, and the Carpathian Sea in the east. 
  • It is relatively long and narrow, stretching for about 260 km east-west and about 60 km at its widest point. 
  • The island is characterized by a diverse landscape, including a mountain chain that runs the length of the island, sandy beaches, and fertile plains.
  • Crete’s economy is primarily based on tourism, agriculture, and shipping. 
  • Capital and Largest City: Heraklion. 

Crete Island History

  • The island of Crete has been inhabited since the Paleolithic Age by early hominids.
  • The earliest advanced European civilization, the Minoan Civilization, started on the island around 2700-1420 BCE.
  • The Minoan civilization ended after a major earthquake, and thereafter, the island’s rule was taken over by the Mycenaean civilization.
  • The island was then subsequently ruled by the Romans, the Byzantines, the Andalusians, the Venetians, and the Ottomans.
  • After the island’s independence from Ottoman rule, Crete became a part of Greece.
  • During the Second World War, the island was occupied by the Nazi German forces and also served as the battleground of the famous “Battle of Crete.”

News: NIE

Crete Island FAQs

Q1: Which is the largest island of Greece?

Ans: Crete.

Q2: Where is Crete Island located?

Ans: In the southern part of the Aegean Sea, about 160 km south of mainland Greece.

Q3: Which sea lies to the north of Crete?

Ans: The Sea of Crete.

Q4: What are the major physical features of Crete?

Ans: A mountain chain, sandy beaches, and fertile plains.

Q5: What is the capital of Crete?

Ans: Heraklion.

Cloudburst

July 31, 2026
Cloudburst

Cloudburst Latest News

Recently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) rejected reports that Assam and Nagaland had experienced cloudbursts over the preceding few days and that they were responsible for the Upper Assam floods. 

About Cloudburst

  • A cloudburst is an extreme weather phenomenon characterized by an intense and sudden downpour of rain.
  • It can also occur in plains, the phenomenon is most common in hilly regions.
  • According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a cloudburst occurs when a small area, around 20-30 sq. km, receives 10 cm or more of rain in an hour.
  • Impact: Short spells of very heavy rainfall over a small geographical area can cause widespread destruction.

How does a Cloudburst Form?

  • It typically begins with convection, when warm, moist air rises rapidly into the atmosphere.
  • In mountainous areas, this is called orographic lifting, where monsoon winds are forced upwards by steep slopes.
  • As the air rises, it cools and condenses into towering cumulonimbus clouds, which can be up to 15 km tall.
  • Water droplets begin to form inside these clouds and, as they get heavier, they would normally fall as rain.
  • However, if the currents of warm air moving upwards are very strong, they can keep the raindrops suspended in the air for longer.
  • Eventually, the weight of the water droplets becomes too great for gravity and the updrafts to hold, or the updrafts weaken, sending the water plummeting down like an ocean descending on the ground.

Source: TH

Cloudburst FAQs

Q1: Cloudbursts are most commonly associated with which type of clouds?

Ans: Cumulonimbus

Q2: Cloudburst is a major concern in which Indian region?

Ans: Himalayan Region

Arctic Council

July 31, 2026
Arctic Council

Arctic Council Latest News

Recently, the Parliamentary committee on External Affairs has recommended that India should appoint a Polar Ambassador and urged the government to seek “full-fledged membership” of the Arctic council.

About Arctic Council

  • It was established by the Ottawa Declaration in 1996.
  • It is an intergovernmental forum for addressing issues related to the Arctic Region.
  • It is not a treaty-based international organization but rather an international forum that operates on the basis of consensus, echoing the peaceful and cooperative nature of the Arctic Region.
  • Member Countries: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Russian Federation, and the United States
  • It has six Permanent Participants (PP) groups representing the indigenous people of the Arctic.
  • Observer States: Observer status in the Arctic Council is open to non-arctic states, inter-governmental and inter-parliamentary organizations, global and regional and non-governmental organizations.
    • India is currently one of the 13 observer countries (France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, U.K., India, China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Italy and Switzerland)  of the Arctic Council.
    • The observer countries do not have decision making powers. They also can’t make financial contributions or undertake research in the arctic directly.
  • Function: The Council focuses its work on matters related to sustainable development, the environment, and scientific cooperation.
  • Traditionally, the Council is chaired by the foreign minister of the country holding the chairmanship.

Source: IE

Arctic Council FAQs

Q1: What is the main focus areas of Arctic Council ?

Ans: Environmental protection and Sustainable development

Q2: India became an Observer in Arctic Council in which year?

Ans: 2013

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