UPSC Current Affairs — 31 July 2026
7 syllabus-tagged briefs · 5-question sprint · sources named on every item. How this brief is made →
SC/ST Atrocities Act: Case registrations and convictions surge
Why in news: Official data shows 2024 saw more than double the convictions compared to 2023.
Under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, case registrations reached 53,372 in 2023. In 2024, the number of convictions and persons held guilty more than doubled compared to 2023. This reflects strengthened enforcement and judicial momentum in protecting vulnerable communities from caste-based violence and discrimination.
Tamil Nadu: SC students benefit from central scholarship schemes
Why in news: PIB reports milestone achievement in scholarship disbursements over three-year period.
Over three years, more than 25.85 lakh Scheduled Caste students in Tamil Nadu benefited from central scholarship schemes. This demonstrates the scale and reach of central support to marginalized student populations, addressing educational disparities across India's southern state.
Paper leak Bill: Parliament strengthens exam integrity with enhanced penalties
Why in news: The anti-paper leak Bill has been passed by Parliament with stricter enforcement measures.
The new paper leak Bill introduces bigger fines, longer jail terms, and fast-track courts to combat exam paper leaks. The legislation amends the 2024 law to strengthen protections for the integrity of competitive examinations, addressing a persistent challenge in medical education and civil services recruitment.
India climbs 25 places in global competitiveness ranking
Why in news: Latest global competitiveness ranking reflects impact of domestic economic reforms.
India advanced 25 positions in the global competitiveness ranking following a series of economic reforms including GST implementation, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), improvements in business environment, and enhanced trade facilitation measures. This reflects structural improvements in market efficiency and institutional frameworks.
Industrial production grows at 6-month high of 7.3% in June
Why in news: June 2026 data shows strong factory activity amid broader economic momentum.
Industrial output expanded at 7.3% in June, marking a six-month high. Manufacturing strengthened alongside steady gains in mining and electricity sectors, indicating broad-based industrial momentum and improved capacity utilization across the economy.
APDA exports flavoured makhana to Canada, boosting agricultural value addition
Why in news: First overseas shipment of value-added makhana demonstrates agricultural export diversification.
APDA facilitated the first maritime shipment of flavour-enhanced makhana from Bihar to Canada. This marks progress in agricultural value addition and export diversification, moving beyond raw commodity exports toward processed food products with higher margins.
SC verdict sets public interest test for post facto environmental clearances
Why in news: Supreme Court judgment establishes criteria for ex-post facto clearances without blanket amnesty.
The Supreme Court rejected blanket amnesty schemes but set a 'public interest' test for granting ex-post facto environmental clearances. The ruling ensures projects can receive retroactive clearance only where compelling public interest warrants, preventing indiscriminate environmental violations and establishing judicial oversight over executive environmental approvals.
Test yourself: today's 5-question sprint
- Case registrations remained stable
- Convictions and persons held guilty more than doubled
- A significant decline in legal action
- Cases were transferred to different courts
Show answer
The brief explicitly states that in 2024, the number of convictions and persons held guilty more than doubled compared to 2023, reflecting strengthened enforcement under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
- 2020-2023
- 2021-2024
- Not specified in the brief
- 2022-2025
Show answer
While the brief mentions a three-year period during which 25.85 lakh SC students benefited from central scholarship schemes in Tamil Nadu, the specific years are not identified in the provided information.
- Digital verification, biometric checks, and automated proctoring
- Bigger fines, longer jail terms, and fast-track courts
- Community monitoring, police surveillance, and institution audits
- School closures, teacher retraining, and curriculum reform
Show answer
The brief explicitly mentions that the Bill introduces bigger fines, longer jail terms, and fast-track courts to combat exam paper leaks and strengthen examination integrity.
- Advanced 25 places; GST implementation contributed
- Advanced 25 places; IBC implementation contributed
- Advanced 25 places; environmental clearance reforms contributed
- Advanced 30 places; trade facilitation measures contributed
Show answer
India climbed 25 places (not 30), and the brief lists GST, IBC, business environment improvements, and trade facilitation as drivers. Environmental clearance reforms are not mentioned as contributing to the competitiveness ranking improvement.
- Only electricity showed gains
- Agriculture and services
- Mining and electricity
- Only mining was steady
Show answer
The brief on industrial production states that manufacturing strengthened alongside steady gains in mining and electricity sectors, which together drove the 7.3% growth rate.
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