Daily Current Affairs- 24th July 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 24th July 2026

What Is BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme? Cabinet Clears New Chemical Parks Initiative Schem

In the News: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan, or BHAVYA-Rasayan Scheme, on July 24, 2026. The initiative seeks to establish three dedicated chemical parks with modern common infrastructure. The scheme was originally announced in the Union Budget 2026–27.

Key Points:

• Meaning and Objective: BHAVYA-Rasayan stands for Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan. It aims to develop three integrated chemical parks that provide plug-and-play facilities to chemical and petrochemical companies, reducing project costs and improving manufacturing competitiveness.
• Financial Outlay and Duration: The scheme has a total allocation of ₹3,030 crore and will operate for five years from FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31. Of this, ₹3,000 crore is earmarked for infrastructure and utilities, while ₹30 crore is reserved for administrative expenditure.
• Centre-State Funding Pattern: The Union Government may provide a grant of up to ₹1,000 crore per chemical park. The concerned state government must contribute at least ₹500 crore, making the parks collaborative projects involving both levels of government.
• Selection and Land Requirements: The parks will be developed by state governments through the Challenge Route, under which competing proposals will be evaluated. Each park must have at least eight square kilometres, or approximately 2,000 acres, of contiguous and encumbrance-free land.
• Common Infrastructure Facilities: The parks will include Common Effluent Treatment Plants, hazardous-waste treatment facilities, solvent-recovery systems, pipelines, water distribution, steam networks and warehouses. These shared facilities are intended to improve environmental compliance, exports, import substitution and integration into global value chains.

SC Restricts Social Media Posting of Court Proceedings

In the News: The Supreme Court issued an interim order restricting the unauthorised circulation of audio-video recordings of judicial proceedings on social media and other digital platforms. Prior permission from the competent court authority is now required. The Court clarified that ordinary news reporting of proceedings remains unaffected.

Key Points:

• Scope of the Restriction: The order prohibits the extraction, modification, dissemination, reposting, uploading and monetisation of court-proceeding recordings without permission. It applies to audio and video material from both the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
• Permission Authorities: Permission relating to Supreme Court proceedings must be obtained from the Secretary General of the Supreme Court. For High Court proceedings, the competent authority is the Registrar General of the concerned High Court.
• Bench and Nature of Order: The interim direction was issued by a three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana. The matter arose from a public interest litigation concerning selective editing and monetisation of courtroom videos.
• News Reporting Not Prohibited: The Court expressly clarified that the order should not be interpreted as a gag order on freedom of speech or press. Journalists may continue reporting court proceedings, but unauthorised reproduction or circulation of audiovisual recordings remains restricted.
• Concerns Behind the Order: The petition highlighted the circulation of selective and decontextualised courtroom clips, which may distort judicial exchanges and weaken public confidence. The Court also issued notices to High Courts and social-media intermediaries, including Meta and X.

Early Release Policy for Elderly and Terminally Ill Prisoners

In the News: The Supreme Court directed all states and Union Territories to formulate comprehensive policies for the early, premature or compassionate release of elderly and terminally ill prisoners. The policies must be prepared within three months. The judgment linked humane prison treatment with the right to dignity under Article 21.

Key Points:

• Constitutional Basis: The Court held that constitutional rights do not cease to operate inside prisons. Continued incarceration of vulnerable prisoners without a structured and humane release mechanism may violate the right to life and dignity guaranteed under Article 21.
• Eligibility and Definitions: States and Union Territories must clearly define eligibility conditions and procedural requirements for compassionate release. The policies must also incorporate a uniform and precise definition of “terminal illness” to prevent arbitrary or inconsistent decisions.
• NALSA’s Role: The case arose from a petition filed by the National Legal Services Authority, or NALSA, under Article 32. Its nationwide campaign identified 5,393 vulnerable prisoners, including 1,886 undertrials and 3,507 convicted prisoners.
• Age Criterion and Medical Boards: The proceedings particularly concerned convicted prisoners above 70 years of age and prisoners suffering from terminal illnesses. States are expected to establish reliable medical-certification mechanisms so that claims of serious illness are assessed objectively.
• Use of the e-Prisons Portal: Applications may be processed through the e-Prisons portal using automated alerts, deadline monitoring and compliance reports. The Centre, NIC, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law and Justice must provide technical assistance while protecting prisoners’ personal and medical data.

How the new US tariffs stack India against its competitors

In the News: The US administration under Donald Trump has shifted its tariff strategy after earlier IEEPA-based tariffs were ruled illegal by the US Supreme Court in February 2026. The new tariff action has been framed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and covers 60 economies over forced-labour import enforcement concerns. India has been placed in the 10% tariff tier, giving it a relative advantage over some competitors but not all.

Key Points:

• Legal Basis: The new tariff framework is based on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows action against unfair foreign practices affecting US commerce. This is important because the earlier IEEPA route faced judicial invalidation. For exams, remember the shift from IEEPA to Section 301
• India’s Tariff Rate: India has been placed in the 10% tariff category along with countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the UK. This was linked to India’s adoption of a forced-labour import prohibition.
• Competitor Positioning: India has an edge over economies placed in the 12.5% tariff category, including several major manufacturing competitors. However, it does not get a tariff advantage over Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan or Sri Lanka, which are also in the 10% group.
• Textile Concern: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia are expected to receive tariff-rate quotas for certain textile and apparel exports using US cotton or textile inputs. India’s exclusion from such planned TRQs may reduce its advantage in labour-intensive export sectors.

DRDO Successfully Conducts Maiden Flight Test of Kusha )Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile

In the News:  DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Kusha Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast on July 23, 2026. The missile intercepted an electronic target simulating a high-speed and high-altitude aerial threat. The test marks a major step in India’s indigenous long-range air-defence capability.

Key Points:

• Missile System: Kusha is a Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile system developed for air-defence roles. It is designed to neutralise threats such as fighter aircraft, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and large enemy aircraft across a wide range and altitude envelope.
• Test Location: The maiden flight test was conducted from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. This island is a major missile-testing range and frequently appears in defence-related current affairs questions.
• Indigenous Development: The missile, radar, command-and-control centre and other weapon-system elements have been developed by DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners. This strengthens the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat push in defence manufacturing.

Commonwealth Games 2026 Medals Tally: Check complete list

In the News: The 23rd Commonwealth Games are being held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, 2026. As per the July 25, 2026 update, Australia was leading the medals table, while India had opened its account with one bronze medal. India’s first medal came through Jhandu Kumar in men’s heavyweight para powerlifting.

Key Points:

• Top of the Table: Australia led the tally with 6 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze medals, making a total of 13 medals. Nigeria stood second with 3 gold, 3 silver and 0 bronze medals, while Scotland was third with 2 gold, 2 silver and 0 bronze medals.
• India’s Position: India was placed joint ninth with 0 gold, 0 silver and 1 bronze medal. The medal came in para powerlifting, showing the growing importance of para sports in India’s Commonwealth Games performance.
• India’s First Medal: Jhandu Kumar won bronze in the men’s heavyweight para powerlifting event. He finished with 130.9 points after successful lifts of 181 kg and 190 kg, narrowly missing a Games record attempt at 196 kg.
• Host Country: Glasgow in Scotland is hosting the 2026 edition. Scotland’s strong early performance placed it third in the medal table, which is relevant because host nations often perform strongly due to home conditions and targeted preparation.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Becomes Youngest Player to Score a T20I Fifty

In the News: India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to score a half-century in men’s T20I cricket during the first T20I against Zimbabwe at Harare on July 23, 2026. He scored his maiden T20I fifty off just 18 balls. India won the match by seven wickets.

Key Points:

• Record Created: Sooryavanshi achieved the record at 15 years and 118 days. He broke the previous record held by Louis Bruce of Gibraltar, who had scored a T20I fifty at 16 years and 56 days.
• Match Details: The record came in the first T20I of a three-match series between India and Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club. India chased a target of 126 with more than six overs remaining.
• Innings Impact: His fifty came off only 18 balls and included four fours and four sixes. The innings showed aggressive intent and helped India secure an easy win in the series opener.
• Wider Career Context: Sooryavanshi had earlier been part of India’s youth cricket success and had scored 175 off 80 balls at Harare in the ICC Under-19 World Cup Final in January 2026. This makes him important for exam questions on emerging Indian sportspersons.