Daily Current Affairs – 29-07-2026

Important Days

International Tiger Day (Global Tiger Day) – July 29

International Tiger Day, also known as Global Tiger Day, is observed every year on 29 July to raise awareness about tiger conservation and the protection of their natural habitats. It was established in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit held in Russia, where tiger-range countries adopted the TX2 Goal to double the global wild tiger population by 2022. India, which is home to the largest wild tiger population in the world, plays a leading role in tiger conservation through Project Tiger, launched in 1973, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The day highlights the importance of protecting biodiversity and preventing poaching and habitat loss.

Sports News

Roberto Mancini Returns as Italy Football Coach

Roberto Mancini has been appointed as the head coach of the Italy national football team for a second term by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), replacing Gennaro Gattuso. Claudio Ranieri has been appointed as the Technical Director. Roberto Mancini, aged 61, guided Italy to the UEFA European Championship title in 2021 and coached the national team in 58 matches during his first tenure. At the club level, he has managed Inter Milan, Fiorentina, and Manchester City, leading Manchester City to its first Premier League title in 2011–12. Former FIGC Technical Director Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo resigned after Andrea Pirlo's appointment as Italy coach was blocked.

Zinedine Zidane Appointed France Football Coach

Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as the head coach of the France national football team by the French Football Federation (FFF) following the departure of Didier Deschamps. Didier Deschamps, who served as France coach from 2012, stepped down after France finished fourth in the FIFA World Cup. Under his leadership, France won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and finished runners-up in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Zinedine Zidane, a member of France’s 1998 FIFA World Cup-winning team, has taken charge of the national team after leaving Real Madrid in 2021.

Gukesh to Defend World Chess Title in Geneva

The World Chess Championship match between D. Gukesh (India) and Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan) will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from November 25 to December 15. D. Gukesh, who won the World Chess Championship by defeating Ding Liren of China in Singapore two years ago, will defend his title against Javokhir Sindarov, who qualified as the challenger by winning the Candidates Tournament. Both players are 20 years old, making it the youngest World Chess Championship match in history. Viswanathan Anand, Interim President of FIDE (World Chess Federation), announced that the championship will be held in Geneva.

Ajaya Babu Wins Silver in Commonwealth Games Weightlifting

Ajaya Babu won the silver medal in the men's 79 kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The 21-year-old from Kondavelagada village, Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, lifted a total of 330 kg, finishing 1 kg behind Malaysia's Muhammad Erry Hidayat, who won the gold with a Games record total of 331 kg and a 184 kg clean and jerk. Ajaya Babu set a Commonwealth Games record in the snatch with 149 kg and lifted 181 kg in the clean and jerk. His father, Valluri Srinivasa Rao, had won a bronze medal in the men's 56 kg event at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. In the women's 63 kg event, Nirupama Devi failed all three 123 kg clean and jerk attempts and recorded DNF, finishing fifth after lifting 93 kg in the snatch.

India Assured of Two Boxing Medals at Commonwealth Games

Indian boxers Preeti Pawar and Priya Ghanghas assured India of at least bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow by reaching the semifinals. In the women's 54 kg quarterfinal, Preeti Pawar defeated Nicole Clyde of Northern Ireland by 5-0. In the women's 60 kg quarterfinal, Priya Ghanghas defeated Niamh Mitchell of Scotland by 4-1 on points. Meanwhile, Parveen Hooda lost to Sacha Hickey of England by 2-3 in the women's 65 kg quarterfinal and was eliminated from the competition.

Sarvesh Kushare Wins Historic Commonwealth Games Silver

At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Sarvesh Kushare won the silver medal in the men’s high jump event, becoming the first Indian high jumper to win a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. He cleared 2.25 m, while Romaine Beckford of Jamaica won the gold medal on countback after both athletes attempted higher heights. This was also India’s first medal in able-bodied athletics at the Games. Jack Kimani of England won the bronze medal with 2.20 m, while Adarsh Ram of India finished fifth with 2.15 m. Tejaswin Sankar, bronze medallist at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, withdrew from the event due to knee tendonitis. In the men’s 110 m hurdles, Tejas Shirse finished eighth with a timing of 15.39 seconds.

Sharmila Wins India’s First Commonwealth Para Athletics Gold

At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Sharmila Dhankar won India’s first para athletics gold medal by securing first place in the women’s shot put F57 event with a season-best throw of 9.81 m. The victory ended India’s 20-year wait for a para athletics medal at the Commonwealth Games. Shilpa Shyla won the bronze medal in the same event after an official review following an Indian protest, with a personal-best throw of 7.26 m. The F57 classification is meant for athletes with lower limb impairments, limb deficiencies, or reduced muscle power. Earlier in 2025, Sharmila Dhankar won a gold medal at the Fazza International Para Athletics Championship.

Science and Technology News

India’s Space Technology Sector Records $200 Million Funding in 2025

According to market research firm Tracxn, India’s space technology sector raised a record $200 million in 2025, with Bengaluru attracting more than half of the total funding. The report titled "Space Tech in India" states that the sector had raised about $871 million as of July 2026. Skyroot Aerospace, India’s space technology unicorn, is the highest-funded company with $150 million and developed Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket, which successfully reached Low Earth Orbit (LEO) on July 18. The report identified 285 space technology firms in India, of which 274 are active and 72 have received equity funding. Funding increased from $43 million in 2021 to $200 million in 2025, while startups raised $113 million in 24 funding rounds during 2026 up to the reporting period.

Economy News

Delhi High Court Appoints Liquidator for Paytm Payments Bank

The Delhi High Court has appointed Girikumar M. Nair, former Chief General Manager (CGM) of State Bank of India (SBI), as the Official Liquidator for Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. following the cancellation of its banking licence by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) three months earlier. According to the RBI, the Official Liquidator will exercise powers under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and the applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.

Andhra Pradesh Signs MoU for Genomic Solutions Centre

The Government of Andhra Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AstraZeneca India to establish an Integrated Genomic Solutions Centre in Amaravati. The initiative aims to create India’s first integrated precision oncology research and treatment ecosystem, enabling personalised cancer diagnosis and treatment through advanced genomic technologies. The centre will provide advanced genomic testing and biomarker analysis for patients with lung cancer and breast cancer.

Personalities, Awards and Events

LIC Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has appointed Shatmanyu Shrivastava as Executive Director (Finance & Accounts) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He previously served as Executive Director (Enterprise Risk Management) and Chief Risk Officer (CRO). His appointment follows the resignation of Sunil Agrawal as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). LIC has also appointed Varadarajan Muthuvenkataraman as Executive Director (Enterprise Risk Management) and Chief Risk Officer (CRO).

The Hindu Group Wins Seven Awards at MADDYS 2026

The The Hindu Group won seven awards at MADDYS 2026, the 44th Madras Advertising Club Awards. Its flagship campaign, "The Hindu Written by Journalists", received the Grand Prix in the Digital Creatives / Content–Digital Videos (Short Form) category and won two Gold awards in Media Innovation (OOH and Ambient Media) and Media-Integrated Campaign. The campaign "Unseen Labour" won a Gold Award in Print Craft–Copywriting, while "Power of Attorney" received a Bronze Award in Print Craft–Copywriting and "Stub the Habit" won a Bronze Award in Cause Advertising & Public Service–Print Campaign. The The Hindu Group was also recognised as "Client of the Year" at the Digital MADDYS.

National News

ICMR Study Finds Multiple Dengue Serotypes Circulating in India

A two-year nationwide surveillance study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) through its Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) Network found that all four dengue virus serotypes are circulating simultaneously in several parts of India. The study, titled "Pan-India Molecular Surveillance of Dengue Serotypes, 2023–2025", analysed 6,889 laboratory-confirmed dengue samples from 45 laboratories across 25 States and Union Territories. It found that DENV-2 remained the predominant serotype, accounting for more than half of all infections. Eight States and Union Territories reported the presence of all four serotypes, while 15 States and Union Territories reported three serotypes circulating simultaneously. Around 7% of patients were infected with two or more dengue serotypes at the same time. The report also notes that India does not currently include a dengue vaccine in its Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), although indigenous vaccine candidates are in advanced stages of clinical development and an internationally approved vaccine has received regulatory clearance for import and sale in India.

Centre Reissues Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area Draft

The Union Ministry of Environment has reissued, for the seventh time, the draft notification proposing an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) in the Western Ghats. The draft, issued on July 27, 2026, will remain open for 60 days for public objections before the final notification. The proposed ESA covers 56,825.7 sq. km across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The proposed area includes Karnataka (20,668 sq. km), Maharashtra (17,340 sq. km), Kerala (9,993.7 sq. km), Tamil Nadu (6,914 sq. km), Goa (1,461 sq. km) and Gujarat (449 sq. km). The notification proposes a ban on mining, quarrying, sand mining, new thermal power plants, certain industries and large construction projects within the ESA, while regulating hydel power generation. An expert committee constituted in 2022 is examining objections from the States regarding the villages and areas to be included. The issue dates back to 2011, when the committee chaired by Madhav Gadgil recommended that the entire 1,29,000 sq. km Western Ghats be declared ecologically sensitive. Later, the High-Level Working Group chaired by K. Kasturirangan recommended declaring about 37% of the Western Ghats, covering 59,940 sq. km, as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).

Industrial Growth Reaches 23-Month High

India’s industrial growth rose to 7.3% in June 2026, marking the highest growth in 23 months since July 2024, according to the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). The IIP had recorded 5.1% growth in May 2026. The growth was driven by strong performance in the manufacturing sector, electricity, and capital goods. The manufacturing sector registered 7.8% growth in June 2026, the highest in 23 months, compared to 5.5% in May 2026 and 2.4% in June 2025.

Reports and Indices

Study Highlights Soliga Tribal Forest Management

A research article titled "Fortress Conservation versus Traditional Forest Management: The Example of Soliga Tribal People from the Western Ghats, India" was published in the journal Ecosystems and People. The study highlights the Soliga tribal community living in the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka as an example of traditional forest management. It states that the Soligas have lived with tigers, leopards, and elephants for centuries while managing forest resources. The study emphasises the importance of recognising the knowledge and skills of Adivasi communities in forest management. It also notes that the Soligas traditionally practised mosaic litter burning and small-scale swidden agriculture, which supported forest ecosystems and wildlife. The research highlights the need to involve tribal communities in sustainable forest management and wildlife conservation.

Tamil Nadu News

Tamil Nadu Approves Patient Safety Governance Framework

The Government of Tamil Nadu has approved a comprehensive Governance Framework for Patient Safety and Patient Experience across government health facilities. The framework integrates existing quality initiatives under a single institutional mechanism and is aligned with the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS), the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), and the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Patient Safety Action Plan (2021–2030). It will function through six thematic pillars: Navigation and Accessibility, Environmental Hygiene, Environmental Support Services, Patient Safety and Infection Prevention, Patient and Attender Experience, and Monitoring, Data Analytics and Quality Improvement. The government has approved the formation of a State Apex Committee for Patient Safety and Patient Experience, along with district-level and hospital-level committees. The Health Secretary will serve as the Chairperson, the Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM), Tamil Nadu will be the Member-Secretary, and the 20-member State Apex Committee will include a patient representative/NGO. The District Collectors will chair the district committees, and a Programme Management Unit (PMU) will function under the National Health Mission (NHM), Tamil Nadu for State-wide coordination, monitoring, and technical support.