UPSC Current Affairs — 24 July 2026
7 syllabus-tagged briefs · 5-question sprint · sources named on every item. How this brief is made →
Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Nutrition 2.0 launched for children
Why in news: Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the mission to improve nutritional outcomes in 0-6 year-old children.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Nutrition 2.0 to enhance nutritional outcomes for children aged 0-6 years. Under the mission, a package of six services is provided to eligible beneficiaries across Anganwadi centres nationwide. The scheme aims to strengthen institutional support for child nutrition and development through grassroots-level delivery mechanisms.
Steel sector maintains growth momentum in Q1 FY2026-27
Why in news: India's steel sector continued its growth trajectory in the first quarter of FY2026-27.
India's steel sector has sustained its growth momentum during the first quarter of FY2026-27. The sector's continued expansion reflects ongoing investment in infrastructure and manufacturing, key drivers of domestic steel demand. This performance underscores the sector's resilience and its strategic importance to India's broader industrial economy.
Fast-track courts proposed to address exam leak probes and legal gaps
Why in news: PM Modi has pushed for fast-track courts in response to ongoing exam paper leak controversies and youth protests.
Fast-track courts are being proposed to address critical gaps in examination fraud investigations and weaker legal provisions governing paper leak cases. These specialized courts aim to expedite trial proceedings in cases related to exam leaks, which have triggered widespread student protests and public concern about the integrity of competitive examinations. The mechanism seeks to strengthen accountability and speed up judicial resolution of such high-profile cases.
Centre considers tougher exam fraud provisions amid paper leak crisis
Why in news: The government is eyeing stricter rules to combat examination paper leaks following recent high-profile incidents.
India's legal framework for tackling exam fraud is under review as the Centre seeks to strengthen provisions against paper leaks. Existing laws treat examination fraud and paper leaks as offences, but the government is evaluating whether current provisions are sufficiently stringent. The move comes amid growing public concern about the integrity of national competitive examinations and the need for more robust deterrents.
Private sector growth hits 4-year low as services activity weakens
Why in news: HSBC Flash India PMI data for July shows private sector expansion at its slowest pace since 2022.
India's private sector expanded at its slowest pace in over four years in July as services activity weakened sharply, despite resilient manufacturing and strengthening exports. The contraction in services growth signals emerging headwinds for the broader economy. Price pressures, though evident, have not derailed growth entirely, but the slowdown warrants close monitoring of demand conditions across sectors.
RBI links edible oil price surge to biofuel mandates, Indonesia palm oil blending
Why in news: RBI analysis attributes the broad-based rise in edible oil prices to increasing biofuel demand globally.
The Reserve Bank of India has identified growing biofuel demand as a key driver of broad-based edible oil price increases, with Indonesia's higher palm oil blending mandate emerging as a significant factor. The shift towards renewable fuel targets is reshaping global oilseed markets and creating inflationary pressure on cooking oil prices in India. This development highlights the intersecting impacts of energy transition policies on food commodity markets.
Special courts proposed for Manipur violence cases; SC expedites investigations
Why in news: The Supreme Court has proposed specialized courts to accelerate trials in Manipur ethnic violence cases.
The Supreme Court has proposed special courts for speedy trials in cases stemming from the Manipur violence, while directing the CBI and Special Investigation Team to expedite pending investigations. The court has mandated day-to-day trials and required that chargesheets be shared with victims' families, ensuring greater transparency and faster judicial resolution. This intervention reflects the court's commitment to delivering timely justice in cases involving mass violence.
Test yourself: today's 5-question sprint
- 0-3 years
- 0-6 years
- 3-9 years
- 6-12 years
Show answer
Brief 1 explicitly states the mission targets 0-6 year-old children to enhance nutritional outcomes.
- Textiles and apparel
- Steel sector
- Information technology
- Agriculture and allied
Show answer
Brief 2 specifically mentions that India's steel sector sustained its growth momentum in Q1 FY2026-27.
- To handle only civil matrimonial disputes
- To address examination fraud investigations and expedite paper leak case trials
- To replace the existing Supreme Court entirely
- To handle minor traffic violation cases
Show answer
Brief 3 explains that fast-track courts aim to expedite trials in exam leak cases and address gaps in investigation procedures.
- Increased agricultural land use for wheat cultivation
- Global biofuel demand, including Indonesia's higher palm oil blending mandate
- A surplus in global vegetable oil production
- Reduced consumption of cooking oils in developed nations
Show answer
Brief 6 states that the RBI linked edible oil price increases to growing biofuel demand, with Indonesia's higher palm oil blending mandate being a key factor.
- Chargesheets to be kept confidential from the public
- Chargesheets to be shared only with the prosecution
- Chargesheets to be shared with victims' families
- Chargesheets to be published in newspapers only
Show answer
Brief 7 explicitly mentions that the court has required chargesheets be shared with victims' families to ensure transparency.
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