Daily Current Affairs- 26th July 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 26th July 2026

Pralhad Joshi Takes Charge as Union Education Minister

In the News: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi formally assumed charge of the Ministry of Education at Kartavya Bhavan on July 26, 2026. The Education portfolio has been assigned to him in addition to his existing ministerial responsibilities. After taking charge, he held a review meeting with senior officials of the Ministry.

Key Points:

• Additional Portfolios: Pralhad Joshi also holds the Ministries of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy. The Education Ministry has therefore been entrusted to him as an additional charge.
• Constitutional Provision: Under Article 75 of the Constitution, Union Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Union Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
• Ministry Structure: The Ministry of Education consists of the Department of School Education and Literacy and the Department of Higher Education. It was formerly known as the Ministry of Human Resource Development before being renamed in 2020.
• Major Responsibilities: The Ministry oversees the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, school and higher-education reforms, digital learning and institutions such as NCERT, CBSE, UGC, IITs and central universities.

Vessel Carrying Four Indians Struck at Ukraine’s Odesa Port

In the News: The Indian Embassy in Ukraine said it was closely monitoring the situation after the merchant vessel MV AGN Ragnar was struck at the Port of Odesa on July 25, 2026. Four Indian nationals were on board. Two were confirmed safe, while information about the other two was awaited.

Key Points:

• Odesa Port: Odesa is Ukraine’s principal port on the Black Sea and an important centre for grain and commercial exports. The port has repeatedly faced missile and drone attacks since the Russia-Ukraine conflict escalated in February 2022.
• Search and Rescue: Search-and-rescue operations were initiated, while the Indian Embassy remained in contact with Ukrainian authorities. The mission said it would extend all possible consular assistance to the affected Indian nationals.
• MEA Advisory: India advised citizens to carefully assess security conditions before accepting employment on commercial vessels operating in conflict-affected maritime areas, particularly the Black Sea region.
• Freedom of Navigation: Attacks on civilian vessels raise concerns regarding the internationally recognised principles of freedom of navigation and maritime commerce. India had recently condemned a separate attack on MV Golden Leo that killed four Indian nationals.

New U.S. Tariffs Exclude 45% of India’s Exports

In the News: The Centre stated that nearly 45% of India’s exports to the United States would remain outside the scope of the new additional 10% tariff. The tariff was imposed by the U.S. under Section 301 measures concerning the alleged failure of trading partners to prevent trade in goods produced through forced labour.

Key Points:

• Tariff Coverage: Approximately 55% of Indian exports to the U.S. may face the additional tariff, while 45% remain exempt. India was placed in the lower 10% tariff category, while some countries face a higher 12.5% rate.
• Section 301: Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974 empowers the U.S. Trade Representative to investigate and respond to foreign trade practices considered unfair, discriminatory or burdensome to American commerce.
• Important Exemptions: Products already covered by separate national-security tariffs and certain goods such as energy products, fertilizers and selected agricultural items remain outside the new levy.
• Impact on Textiles: Indian textile and apparel exporters may face greater competition because the additional tariff will increase their cost in the U.S. market. Industry bodies have sought concessional market access for Indian textile products.

Houthis Fire Missiles and Drones at Saudi Arabia

In the News:  Yemen’s Houthi movement launched missiles and drones towards Saudi Arabia in retaliation for Saudi airstrikes on Hodeida. The attacks reportedly targeted facilities associated with Saudi Aramco in Yanbu and Jizan, raising concerns over the security of Red Sea shipping and global energy supplies.

Key Points:

• About the Houthis: The Houthis are officially known as Ansar Allah. The Iran-aligned group controls Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and significant portions of northern and western Yemen.
• Targets in Saudi Arabia: The Houthis claimed to have targeted Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu and Jizan. Yanbu is an important Red Sea oil-export and refining centre, while Jizan lies close to the Yemeni border.
• Hodeida’s Importance: Hodeida is a strategic Yemeni port on the Red Sea and an important entry point for food, fuel and humanitarian supplies. Saudi airstrikes on the area prompted the latest Houthi retaliation.
• Bab el-Mandeb Strait: The Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. Disruption near this narrow maritime chokepoint can affect trade between Europe and Asia and increase shipping and insurance costs.

U.S. Senate Bill Seeks Three-Year Pause on H-1B Visas

In the News: Republican Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana introduced the End H-1B Abuse Act in the U.S. Senate. The Bill proposes a three-year pause on new H-1B visas and seeks to codify a $100,000 fee for each H-1B petition. The proposal remains a Bill and has not yet become law.

Key Points

• Major Proposals: The Bill seeks to pause new H-1B visas for three years, reduce the annual cap to 25,000 and prescribe a $200,000 salary threshold. It also proposes stricter eligibility and employment conditions.
• Changes to Selection: The proposed legislation would replace the random visa lottery with a wage-based selection system. It would also restrict concurrent employment and third-party staffing arrangements.
• OPT and Green Cards: The Bill proposes ending Optional Practical Training-style employment authorization and the H-1B programme’s “dual-intent” provision. Dual intent presently allows a visa holder to seek permanent residence without automatically losing non-immigrant status.
• Present Visa Cap: The existing H-1B programme generally provides 65,000 visas annually, with an additional 20,000 for applicants holding advanced degrees from U.S. institutions. It is primarily used for specialty occupations requiring technical expertise.
• Court Ruling on Fee: A federal court struck down the earlier executive-imposed $100,000 fee, holding that it operated as a tax requiring authorization from Congress. The new Bill attempts to provide that fee with a statutory basis.

India Reclaims Top Spot in ICC Men’s T20I Rankings

In the News: India returned to the No. 1 position in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings after taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series against Zimbabwe at Harare. India regained the top ranking from England following a dominant 90-run victory in the second T20I.

Key Points:

• Series Performance: India won the first two matches of the three-match series, securing the series before the final contest. The victories enabled the reigning T20 World Cup champions to regain the top team ranking.
• Second T20I: India defeated Zimbabwe by 90 runs in the second match at Harare. The result gave India an unassailable 2-0 series lead and sufficient ranking points to move above England.
• Previous Ranking Change: England had displaced India from the top position after registering a 4-0 home-series victory. India’s successful tour of Zimbabwe reversed that ranking change.
• ICC Headquarters: The International Cricket Council is the global governing body for cricket and is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It maintains separate team and player rankings for Tests, ODIs and T20Is.

Anahat Singh Wins World Junior Squash Championship

In the News: Anahat Singh became the first Indian to win the girls’ singles title at the World Junior Squash Championships. The 18-year-old defeated Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem in straight games in the final held in Ontario, Canada, creating history for Indian squash.

Key Points:

• Final Result: Anahat defeated Ruqayya Salem 3-0 in the championship final. Her victory ended Egypt’s long dominance of the girls’ singles title at the World Junior Championships.
• Historic First: She became the first Indian, male or female, to win an individual World Junior Squash Championship title. The achievement is considered a major milestone in the international development of Indian squash.
• Governing Bodies: The World Squash Federation is the international governing body for squash. In India, the sport is administered by the Squash Rackets Federation of India.
• Olympic Debut: Squash is scheduled to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Its inclusion is expected to create new medal opportunities for emerging Indian players such as Anahat Singh.