Daily Current Affairs 28 July 2026 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 28 July 2026 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026

Source: PRS
GS II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources; GS II: Governance; GS II: 

Why in the News?

Bill to amend the anti-paper leaks law, which the government introduced in Lok Sabha.

News in Brief

• After a week of repeated disruptions, the government and the Opposition on Monday reached an understanding to end the logjam in Lok Sabha, paving the way for a discussion on The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.
• This comes two days after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as the Education Minister on Saturday.
• The draft Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026, which was approved by the Cabinet recently.
• For the purposes of providing a speedy trial on day-to-day basis, every state government and Union Territory administration shall, in consultation with the Chief Justice.

Salient Feature of the Bill

Nandan Nilekani Task Force on Exam Reforms

• The government has formed a high-powered task force to look into next-generation reforms for the country’s education sector.
• A multidisciplinary panel of domain experts will help revamp the National Testing Agency (NTA) examination system, especially from a technology perspective, and bring about structural reforms in the system.
• The committee will consist of former
  • UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani
  • Former ISRO Chairman S Somnath
  • Former IB director Tapan Deka
  • IIT Chennai director V. Kamakoti
  • Former Education Secretary Anita Karwal
  • Logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.

Need for Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill

• To tackle organised examination fraud: Paper leaks are increasingly linked to organised networks involving intermediaries, service providers and other actors, requiring stronger legal deterrence.
• To make penalties more effective: The amendment proposes substantially higher imprisonment terms and fines so that involvement in examination malpractice carries serious consequences.
• To ensure faster investigation: Delayed investigations can weaken evidence and prolong uncertainty for candidates. The Bill therefore provides for time-bound investigation of offences.
• To speed up judicial proceedings: Ordinary court processes may take years. The proposed Special Fast Track Courts are intended to ensure quicker trial of examination-related offences.
• To improve prosecution of complex cases: Appointment of Special Public Prosecutors can provide focused legal expertise for cases involving organised cheating and examination fraud.
• To protect the interests of genuine candidates: Examination irregularities can lead to cancellations, re-examinations and long delays, affecting candidates who prepared honestly and invested significant time and effort.
• To restore confidence in recruitment and entrance examinations: Repeated allegations of leaks or manipulation can undermine public trust in competitive examinations and the institutions conducting them.
• To safeguard merit-based selection: Stronger action against unfair means helps ensure that jobs and educational opportunities are awarded on the basis of ability and performance rather than access to leaked information or fraudulent networks.
• To strengthen accountability of examination stakeholders: The amendment seeks stronger consequences for individuals, service providers and organised groups involved in compromising the examination process.
• To preserve the credibility of public institutions: Fair examinations are essential for transparent recruitment and admissions. Strengthening the legal framework can help protect the legitimacy of institutions such as UPSC, SSC, Railway Recruitment Boards, IBPS and NTA-covered examinations.

UPSC perspective: The amendment reflects the broader need to combine deterrent punishment, institutional accountability, speedy justice and technological safeguards to protect the integrity of India’s public examination system.

Governance Significance of the Amendment Public Examinations Amendment Bill, 2026

• Strengthens institutional accountability: The Bill places greater responsibility on examination authorities and associated service providers to maintain the integrity of public recruitment and entrance examinations.
• Promotes time-bound governance: Requiring investigation to be completed within two months introduces clear administrative timelines and reduces scope for prolonged or ineffective investigations.
• Improves delivery of justice: Special Fast Track Courts, with an intended three-month timeline for completing trials after filing of the charge sheet, can reduce delays between detection of malpractice and punishment.
• Encourages specialised enforcement: The Central Government may refer offences to a Special Task Force, enabling focused investigation of organised and technically complex examination fraud rather than relying only on routine enforcement mechanisms.
• Builds citizen trust in public institutions: Transparent and credible examinations strengthen confidence that government jobs and educational opportunities are allocated through merit rather than manipulation, corruption or privileged access.
• Supports responsive and youth-centric governance: Examination leaks impose financial, psychological and opportunity costs on genuine candidates. A faster investigation-and-trial framework makes the state more responsive to grievances affecting millions of aspirants and protects the credibility of competitive recruitment. The Bill also provides for Special Public Prosecutors and time-bound appeals to improve the overall enforcement chain.

Key Takeaways

India–Bangladesh Ganga Treaty

Source: Indian Express
GS II: India and its Neighbourhood Relations

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Background
3. Limitations of the 1996 Treaty
4. Key Priorities for the New Framework
5. Significance for India

Why in the News?

The 1996 India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Treaty is due to expire in December 2026, and both countries have begun discussions on its renewal.

News in Brief

• The negotiations are expected to cover broader issues of transboundary river governance, institutional reforms and regional cooperation.
• Current negotiations extend beyond water allocation to include climate resilience, flood management, ecological conservation and institutional cooperation.
• The proposed approach emphasises basin-level management rather than river-specific water sharing.

Background

• Signed on 12 December 1996 between India and Bangladesh, the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty governs the sharing of Ganga waters at Farakka Barrage for a period of 30 years.
• Implemented through the Joint Committee under the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC).

Limitations of the 1996 Treaty

• Limited focus- Focuses only on dry-season (January–May) water sharing at the Farakka Barrage, without addressing basin-wide river management or other shared rivers.
• No Assured Minimum Flow- Lacks robust, enforceable remedies when water availability drops below critical thresholds.
• Outdated Hydrological Basis- Relies heavily on historical flow patterns from 1949–1988, ignoring modern climatic shifts.
• Climate Change Blind Spot- Does not account for increasing variability in rainfall, glacier melt, floods and droughts.
• Weak Institutional Framework- Limited provisions for real-time data sharing, dispute resolution and adaptive management.
• Ecological Concerns Ignored- Gives inadequate attention to environmental flows, river ecosystem conservation and biodiversity.

Key Priorities for the New Framework

• Integrated Basin Management- Expand cooperation to include joint flood forecasting, anti-erosion measures, and navigation revival.
• Climate Resilience- Incorporate scientific, real-time hydrological data modeling to account for unpredictable monsoon patterns and melting glaciers.
• Ecosystem Restoration- Focus on delta health, salinity management, and minimum environmental flows necessary to protect regional biodiversity.
• Expanding Water Challenges- Rising agricultural, industrial and urban water demand, unresolved issues over other shared rivers such as the Teesta, and the need to maintain ecological flows require a broader approach than water sharing at Farakka alone.

Significance for India

• Strengthens Neighbourhood First Policy.
• Enhances regional stability and connectivity.
• Supports inland waterways and trade.
• Builds climate resilience and water security.
• Counters external strategic influence through stronger regional cooperation.

Challenges

• Political sensitivities and trust deficit.
• Competing developmental priorities.
• Data-sharing and transparency issues.
• Weak institutional coordination.
• Climate-induced uncertainty in water availability.

Conclusion

The renewal of the India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Treaty presents an opportunity to move beyond a narrow water-sharing arrangement towards integrated, climate-resilient and basin-wide river governance.

A modern framework based on scientific data, ecological sustainability and mutual trust can strengthen bilateral relations while ensuring long-term water security and sustainable development for both countries.

Key Takeaways

Click image to enlarge for better readability

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

With reference to the India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Treaty, consider the following statements:

It was signed in 1996 for a period of 30 years.
It governs water sharing at the Farakka Barrage.
It is implemented through the Joint Rivers Commission mechanism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 1 only

Answer: C

Mains Practice Question

Q. “The renewal of the India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Treaty offers an opportunity to transform transboundary river governance from water sharing to integrated basin management.” Discuss. (10 Marks)

Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)

Source: Down To Earth
GS III: Agriculture

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Integrated Farming System (IFS)
3. Key Features
4. Significance and Challenges
5. Government Initiatives

Why in the News?

A recent Down To Earth article highlighted how Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) are helping farmers in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh shift away from monoculture towards climate-resilient farming.

News in Brief

• The initiative is being promoted under the Joint Initiative for Village Advancement (JIVA) with support from NABARD and partner organisations.
• Farmers in Northeast India have reported lower input costs, diversified income and improved resilience against climate variability.
• The model is being viewed as a sustainable approach to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and declining soil health.

Integrated Farming System (IFS)

• Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) combine vegetables, fishponds, livestock, pigs, poultry and trees within one farm so that the output of one component becomes the input for another.
  • Animal waste becomes manure for crops and fishponds.
  • Crop residues feed livestock.
  • Pond water irrigates vegetables during dry periods.
  • Instead of treating everything separately, the farm works like one ecosystem and every part of the farm has value.

Key Features

• Diversified income sources
  • Vegetables provide regular cash flow, fish generate seasonal income, while pigs and poultry offer additional earnings, ensuring year-round income generation and livelihood security.
• Risk Diversification
  • Poor performance in one enterprise is compensated by income from others, reducing farmers’ dependence on a single crop and enhancing resilience against market and climate shocks.
• Nutrient Recycling
  • Livestock manure enriches both soil and fishponds, while recycling of farm waste through composting and bio-inputs, reducing the need for chemical fertilisers.
• Biodiversity Conservation
  • Create habitats for birds, insects, fish and soil organisms that often disappear in monoculture landscapes.
• Climate resilience
  • More resilient to erratic weather while reducing dependence on expensive external inputs.

Significance

• Promotes sustainable and climate resilient agricultural practices.
• Enhances farmers’ income through diversified sources.
• Improves resource efficiency through optimal use of land, water and nutrients.
• Restore biodiversity and build climate-resilient farms.
• Improves food and nutritional security through diversified farm produce.
• Generates year-round rural employment and livelihood opportunities.

Challenges

• Limited awareness and technical knowledge among farmers.
• Higher initial investment for integrating multiple enterprises.
• Inadequate extension services and market linkages.
• Difficulty in accessing quality livestock, fish seed and bio-inputs.
• Small and fragmented landholdings.

Government Initiatives

• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)– Promotes climate-resilient farming, resource conservation and integrated farming practices.
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)– Supports organic farming through cluster-based cultivation and reduced chemical input use.
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)– Provides financial assistance to states for innovative and sustainable agricultural projects.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)– Enhances water-use efficiency through the principle of “Per Drop More Crop”.
• National Livestock Mission (NLM)– Promotes livestock development to improve farmers’ income and support integrated farming.
• ICAR & Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)– Develop, demonstrate and disseminate Integrated Farming System models through research and farmer training.

Way Forward & Conclusion

Promoting Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) through greater institutional support, market linkages, skill development and convergence with government schemes can enhance farmers’ incomes while conserving natural resources.

As India strives for sustainable agriculture, climate resilience and nutritional security, scaling up IFS can play a pivotal role in building a resilient and inclusive rural economy.

Key Takeaways

Click image to enlarge for better readability

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding Integrated Farming Systems (IFS):

1. It integrates crops with livestock, fisheries and other farm enterprises.
2. It promotes recycling of farm waste and reduces dependence on external inputs.
3. It encourages diversification of agricultural enterprises to improve farm resilience.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

Mains Practice Question

Q. “Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) offer a sustainable pathway to enhance farmers’ income while improving ecological resilience.” Discuss with suitable examples. (15 Marks)

Kattaikoothu – Cultural Heritage And Climate Change

Source: The Hindu
GS I: Indian Heritage and Culture

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About Kattaikoothu
3. Kattaikoothu and Climate Change
4. Significance and Challenges

Why in the News?

A new Kattaikoothu production in Tamil Nadu reinterprets the traditional folk theatre to address the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.

News in Brief

• The initiative demonstrates how indigenous art forms can be used to communicate climate adaptation and sustainability.
• It highlights the role of women in revitalising traditional performing arts while making them relevant to contemporary issues.
• The effort underscores the importance of preserving India’s intangible cultural heritage through innovation.

About Kattaikoothu

• Kattaikkuttu is a traditional, open-air rural theatre form from Tamil Nadu, India.
• “Kattai” refers to wooden ornaments and heavy crowns worn by the actors, and “koothu” means theatre.
• It combines singing, acting, dance, spoken prose, and loud music.
• Performances usually last all night and tell stories mainly drawn from the Indian epic, the Mahabharata, Ramayana and local legends.
• The art form was once only for men.
• Groups like the Kattaikoothu Sangam now train women and girls as performers.
• Modern groups mix old epics with current social issues and aims to realise Kattaikoothu’s full potential as a carrier of traditional artistic knowledge and skills and a contemporary theatre that is attuned to the cultural and economic demands of today’s society.

Kattaikoothu and Climate Change

• Uses familiar cultural narratives to explain complex climate issues.
• Performances teaches water conservation, biodiversity protection and sustainable lifestyles.
• Improves public participation in environmental conservation.
• It blends old community traditions with smart ways to adapt to changing weather.

Significance

• Preserves India’s rich intangible cultural heritage.
• Serves as a medium for social awareness and community education.
• Strengthens local identity and intergenerational transmission of traditional knowledge.
• Demonstrates how indigenous cultural practices can support climate communication and behavioural change.

Challenges

• Declining number of traditional performers and fewer young people train as artists.
• Lacks financial and institutional support.
• Competition from modern digital entertainment.
• Need to balance innovation with preservation of authenticity.

Way Forward & Conclusion

Strengthening institutional support, encouraging greater participation of women and youth, integrating Kattaikoothu into climate awareness and educational programmes, and promoting digital documentation can ensure its continued relevance.

By preserving its rich artistic traditions while adapting to contemporary challenges, traditional art forms like Kattaikoothu can become powerful instruments for preserving cultural heritage while fostering climate awareness, making environmental action more accessible and community-driven.

Key Takeaways

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

With reference to Kattaikoothu, consider the following statements:

1. It is a traditional folk theatre of Tamil Nadu.
2. It is primarily based on stories from the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
3. It has traditionally been performed in open-air settings.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 1 and 3 only

Answer: C

Geographical Indication (GI) Tagging

Source: The Hindu
GS III: Indian Economy – Intellectual Property Rights

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About GI Tag
3. Legal Framework
4. Significance of GI Tagging and Challenges

Why in the News?

An article published in The Hindu explained the concept and significance of Geographical Indication (GI) tagging, highlighting its role in protecting India’s unique products and traditional knowledge.

News in Brief

• Recently two agricultural products, namely Unjha cumin and fennel, from Gujarat have received GI tags.
• India has witnessed a steady increase in GI-registered products across agriculture, handicrafts, textiles, and food products.
• With one of the largest numbers of GI-tagged products in Asia, India is strengthening the global recognition and market value of its unique regional products.

About GI Tag

• A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a legal certification given to products originating from a specific region that possess unique qualities or a reputation tied to that place, such as Banarasi Sarees, and Mysore Silk.
• A form of Intellectual Property Right (IPR).
• Only authorised producers from the notified geographical area can use the registered GI name.
• Darjeeling Tea was the first product in India to get this tag in 2004.

Main Categories

• Handicrafts- Items made by hand, like Madhubani Paintings and Channapatna Toys.
• Agricultural- Grown crops, like Alphonso Mango and Coorg Orange.
• Food Stuff– Local eats, like Tirupati Laddu and Mysore Pak.
• Manufactured & Natural- Made goods or raw stones, like Makrana Marble.

Legal Framework

• Governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which started on September 15, 2003.
• Administered by the Geographical Indications Registry located in Chennai, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• A GI registration is valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely successive 10 year period upon payment of the prescribed renewal fee.
• India provides GI protection in line with the WTO’s TRIPS Agreement.

Who Can Apply?

• Applications can be filed by:
  • Producer associations.
  • Cooperative societies.
  • Government organisations.
  • Statutory bodies representing producers.
• Note: Individual producers cannot apply independently.

Significance of GI Tagging

• Protects traditional knowledge and indigenous products from loss.
• Prevents misuse, counterfeiting and unfair competition, by protecting registered geographical names from being used for fake or imitation products.
• Enhances export potential and brand value.
• Generates higher income for farmers, artisans and craftsmen.
• Promotes rural employment and local entrepreneurship.
• Preserves India’s cultural heritage and regional identity strong across generations.

Challenges

• Many local makers do not know how GI tags work or how to get them.
• Paying for legal papers, rules, and proofs is hard for poor groups.
• Fake items still sell easily because rules are hard to enforce everywhere.
• Low global branding and marketing.
• Many genuine producers are not registered as authorised users, limiting the full benefits of GI protection.

Conclusion

Leverage initiatives like One District One Product and Vocal for Local to maximise the economic and cultural potential of GI products, promoting rural livelihoods, preserving heritage, and driving sustainable and inclusive growth.

Key Takeaways

Click image to enlarge for better readability

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding Geographical Indication (GI) Tags:

1. A GI tag is a form of Intellectual Property Right.
2. Individual producers can directly apply for a GI tag.
3. The GI Registry in India is located in Chennai.
4. GI registration in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 3 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: B

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