UPSC current affairs · Friday

Current Affairs, 17 July 2026

8 issues picked from 42 PIB releases · about 2 minutes each · written by UPSC Grade, each fact checked against its PIB release or by a second model

How to readRead “Why in news” and “What it is” for every issue. Open For Prelims or For Mains for the exam you’re preparing for, then Test yourself at the foot of each card. Half the news questions in Prelims are answered from background, not the news itself.

In 60 seconds

National Anti-Doping Act, 2022. Government brings National Anti-Doping Act 2022 and 2025 Amendment into force, aligning India with global anti-doping norms.
UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik). Modified UDAN, a ₹28,840 crore ten-year plan, adds airports, helipads, O&M support and VGF.
Investment Friendliness Index (NITI Aayog). NITI Aayog ranks States and UTs on investment friendliness using eight pillars and 84 indicators.
India's Hydrogen Fuel Cell Train. PM launches India's first ten-coach hydrogen train on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana.
Index of Core Industries (ICI). Revised Index of Core Industries moves to base 2022–23 and adds iron ore as ninth industry.
Census 2027. Census 2027 houselisting moves ahead: self-enumeration opens in Tamil Nadu and Tripura; 29 States/UTs done.
PM-NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme). MSDE extends PM-NAPS North-East special intervention for 2026–27, targeting 30,000 apprentices with ₹57.58 crore.
Dam Safety Act, 2021 and National Committee on Dam Safety. NCDS reviews Dam Safety Act implementation; plans surveillance rules and presses States on December 2026 deadlines.

Law and statutory body

National Anti-Doping Act, 2022

GS2 Statutory bodies and lawsGS3 Sports governancePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 July 2026 the Government of India notified the commencement of the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Act, 2025, bringing both into force.
What it is: The National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 gives a statutory basis to India's anti-doping work. It covers testing, results management, education, and investigations across all sports. It is meant to align India with the World Anti-Doping Code and the UNESCO convention against doping in sport.

Global code: The Acts align India's anti-doping framework with the World Anti-Doping Code.
Treaty obligation: The law helps India meet its obligations under the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport.
Scope: The Acts give statutory backing for anti-doping measures across all sports, covering testing, results management, education, intelligence and investigations.
2025 Amendment: The 2025 Amendment Act refines the governance structure and strengthens institutional autonomy.
Administering ministry: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports administers the sports policy and this law.
Who published the draft: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports released the proposed amendments for stakeholder feedback.
Athletes not criminalised: Athletes not involved in offences such as trafficking or organised syndicates will not face criminal action for rule violations or positive tests. Such violations stay under the existing anti-doping framework.
Safeguards: The framework protects athletes with valid Therapeutic Use Exemptions and doctors acting in genuine emergencies.
International alignment: The proposals are said to align with India's commitments under the UNESCO Convention against doping in sport and with the approach supported by WADA.

Don’t confuse with WADA Code vs UNESCO Convention: The World Anti-Doping Code is WADA's rulebook. The UNESCO Convention is a treaty that governments ratify.

Don’t confuse with NADA vs NDTL: NADA is the national body that runs the anti-doping programme. NDTL is the laboratory that analyses samples.

Don’t confuse with WADA vs NADA: WADA is the global body that sets the World Anti-Doping Code. NADA is India's national anti-doping organisation that implements it at home.

Don’t confuse with Anti-doping rule violation vs criminal offence: Under the draft, an athlete's positive test remains a rule violation handled by the sports framework. Trafficking, supply and syndicate activity would be criminal offences.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

Test yourselfMains

Source: PIB, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, 17 Jul, 12:58 IST · Release 291339

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik)

GS3 Infrastructure · AviationGS2 Centre-StatePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 July 2026, PIB explained the Modified UDAN scheme, launched on 4 July 2026. It runs from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36 with an outlay of ₹28,840 crore.
What it is: UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) is the Centre's regional air connectivity scheme, begun in 2016. It links unserved and underserved airports by having airlines bid for routes. The Airports Authority of India implements it.

Launch: The Regional Connectivity Scheme, branded UDAN, was launched on 21 October 2016 under the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016.
First flight: The first UDAN flight ran from Shimla to Delhi in April 2017.
Modified UDAN outlay and period: The next phase runs ten years, FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36, with a total outlay of Rs 28,840 crore.
Airline support: Rs 10,043 crore of VGF is for airlines over ten years. Support is for up to five years, tapering from the third year, and route exclusivity is limited to three years.
Centre-State MoUs: 21 MoUs were signed between the Government, participating States/UTs and the AAI.
Implementing agency: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is the implementing agency. The 21 MoUs were signed among the Ministry, the States/UTs and AAI.
Challenge Mode: States and UTs can nominate airstrips and helipads for development under the next phase through a dedicated portal.
Four pillars of Modified UDAN: Affordability for passengers, sustainability of operations, a transparent Challenge Mode framework, and promotion of indigenous manufacturing.
Route bidding: Airlines bid for identified UDAN routes, so routes and operators are chosen competitively.
Achievements so far: The Minister said UDAN has operationalised 687 routes and 95 aerodromes.
Targets of Modified UDAN: The MoS said Modified UDAN aims at 120 new destinations and 4 crore more passengers over the next ten years.
Outlay and period: Modified UDAN runs for ten years, FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36, with an outlay of ₹28,840 crore.
VGF terms: Airlines get Viability Gap Funding for up to five years. Tapering starts from the third year. Route exclusivity is limited to three years.
RCS levy: UDAN is funded from within the sector by a small levy on selected domestic flights, described as a first-of-its-kind model.
Indigenous aircraft: The scheme proposes two HAL Dhruv helicopters for Pawan Hans and two HAL Dornier aircraft for Alliance Air.
Launch of Modified UDAN: The Prime Minister launched Modified UDAN on 4 July 2026 from Jodhpur Airport.
AOP condition for bidders: Airlines without an Air Operator Permit (AOP) cannot bid for routes. A failed bidder is barred from the re-bidding.
Track record: Since October 2016 UDAN has operationalised 669 routes and connected 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes, with over 1.66 crore passengers.
Outlay and approval: The Union Cabinet approved the Modified UDAN Scheme on 25 March 2026, with about ₹29,000 crore over ten years.

Don’t confuse with UDAN vs Modified UDAN: UDAN (2016) funded VGF mainly for airlines on routes. Modified UDAN (2026) adds aerodrome capex, O&M support, helipads and indigenous aircraft purchase.

Don’t confuse with AAI vs DGCA: AAI builds and manages airports and implements UDAN; DGCA regulates safety and licensing.

Don’t confuse with UDAN vs Challenge Mode: UDAN is the overall scheme with airline route bidding. Challenge Mode is the new route for States/UTs to nominate airstrips and helipads for development.

Don’t confuse with VGF period vs exclusivity: VGF lasts up to five years, with tapering from year three. Route exclusivity is only three years.

Don’t confuse with Scheme period vs component period: The scheme runs ten years. Aerodrome and helipad outlays are over eight years, and VGF over ten.

Don’t confuse with RCS vs UDAN: The Regional Connectivity Scheme is the official name; UDAN is its brand name.

Don’t confuse with Served vs underserved airport: An unserved airport has no scheduled flights. An underserved one has few flights, below the departure, city-pair and passenger thresholds.

Don’t confuse with UDAN vs Viksit UDAN: Viksit UDAN is the name for the Modified UDAN Scheme, the next phase of the same scheme, not a new scheme.

Don’t confuse with Helipads vs aerodromes: The 200 figure is for modern helipads; 100 is for aerodromes from unserved airstrips.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

Why it matters

Improves access to air travel for remote and underserved regions, supporting tourism, medical access, trade and jobs.
Centre-State partnership and indigenous aircraft support (HAL Dhruv, Dornier) tie into Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Improves air access to remote and unserved regions, supporting tourism, trade and jobs.
Brings States in as partners in building aviation infrastructure.
Extends air links to small towns, hilly and island areas, helping balanced regional development.
Helipads improve access to healthcare and emergency response in difficult terrain.
Links Tier-II and Tier-III cities to air networks and supports balanced regional development.
Helps trade and tourism, for example litchi exports from Darbhanga and marble exports from Kishangarh.
Extends affordable air links to remote and Tier-2 and Tier-3 areas, supporting trade, tourism and jobs.
Promotes domestic aircraft and helicopters, supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Problems

Airline viability on thin regional routes depends on subsidy; support is time-bound.
Hilly terrain in the North-East leaves most identified aerodromes non-operational (12 of 52).
Routes can become unviable once subsidy or support ends, so operations may not be sustainable.
Small airports have high recurring costs and thin revenue, so routes may close once support ends.
Airlines depend on VGF, so long-term commercial viability is uncertain.
Many routes have stopped after the VGF period ended, so route sustainability is weak.
Airlines bid beyond their capacity, delaying routes, and low-traffic airports struggle to remain viable.
Many UDAN routes depend on subsidy and may close once viability gap funding ends.
Low demand and thin infrastructure at small airports strain airline finances.

Way forward

Build aerodromes and O&M support so routes stay operational after VGF ends.
Use State-led nominations through the Challenge Mode Portal and sustain Centre-State coordination.
Choose locations with real demand and keep the bidding transparent so that routes last.
Taper support gradually and build demand through local tourism and trade links.
Prioritise sustainable routes and keep the sector-funded levy working.
Tapered 5-year VGF, O&M support and slots at metro airports can help routes survive.
Tie awards to business plans and aircraft availability, and prioritise state-recommended routes.
Build demand through multimodal links, tourism and cargo to make routes self-sustaining.
Phase out subsidy as routes mature and monitor route continuity.

Put in your answer

VGF disbursed: Rs 5091.23 crore disbursed as VGF as of 15 October 2026.

Airport growth: Operational airports rose from 74 in 2014 to 166; India is the third-largest domestic aviation market.

UDAN performance data: 687 routes and 95 aerodromes operationalised, about 1.71 crore passengers carried.

Employment impact: Aviation-sector jobs rose from about 3 million in 2014 to nearly 7.7 million, as stated by the Minister.

Example airports: Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh and Purnea in Bihar are cited as airports that were once cut off.

VGF outlay: ₹10,043 crore is proposed towards VGF over ten years.

Record traffic: India recorded its highest monthly domestic air traffic in May, over 1.5 crore passengers.

UDAN performance: 669 routes operationalised and 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes connected, with 1.66 crore passengers carried since 2016.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 23

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.The Regional Connectivity Scheme, known as UDAN, was launched in 2016 following the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016.
2.The first UDAN flight operated from Shimla to Delhi.
3.Modified UDAN will run for five years with a total outlay of Rs 28,840 crore.
4.Under Modified UDAN, Viability Gap Funding for airlines is available for up to five years, with route exclusivity limited to three years.
5.Under Modified UDAN, 100 airports are to be developed from existing unserved airstrips.
6.The Challenge Mode Portal allows private airlines to nominate airstrips and helipads for development.
7.Under UDAN, routes are allotted to airlines through a market-based selection process.
8.Under Modified UDAN, Operation and Maintenance support for aerodromes is proposed for a period of three years.
9.Under Modified UDAN, airlines receive Viability Gap Funding for up to three years.
10.The Modified UDAN scheme proposes to develop 200 modern helipads.
11.Modified UDAN is to be implemented over five years with an outlay of ₹28,840 crore.
12.The RCS levy under UDAN is a fee on selected categories of domestic flights, used to fund the scheme from within the aviation sector.
13.The Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN was launched in October 2016.
14.Modified UDAN proposes HAL Dornier aircraft for Pawan Hans and HAL Dhruv helicopters for Alliance Air.
15.Under the existing UDAN scheme, Viability Gap Funding to airlines is limited to 3 years.
16.Modified UDAN provides VGF for 5 years, with the amount tapering from Year 3 onwards.
17.Under Modified UDAN, airlines without an Air Operator Permit may still bid for routes to promote new entrants.
18.Modified UDAN provides for 3-year operation and maintenance support for manpower salary costs at aerodromes developed under RCS.
19.The UDAN scheme was begun under the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016.
20.The Modified UDAN Scheme has an approved outlay of about ₹29,000 crore over ten years.
21.The scheme promotes the use of indigenous aircraft such as HAL Dhruv and Dornier in underserved regions.
22.UDAN was launched in October 2016.
23.Under UDAN, airlines bid for routes and receive viability gap funding.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB Headquarters, 17 Jul, 13:55 IST · Release 291343

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Report or index

Investment Friendliness Index (NITI Aayog)

GS3 Economy - Investment and federalismGS2 FederalismPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 July 2026, NITI Aayog released its report "Investment Friendliness Index", which benchmarks how well States and UTs attract investment.
What it is: The Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) is a NITI Aayog framework to compare the investment climate of States and Union Territories. It follows the Union Budget 2025-26 announcement and a task given at the 9th Governing Council Meeting in July 2024. It aims to promote competitive and cooperative federalism through State-level reforms.

Coverage and pillars: It covers 28 States and 8 UTs across eight pillars, including infrastructure, regulatory ease and environmental resilience.
Indicators and data: The framework has 84 indicators, using secondary data and an investor perception survey.
Categories: Top Performers score above 50; Frontrunners 45-50; Emerging Performers 40 to below 45; Aspiring States below 40.
Top Performers: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Odisha are Top Performers.
Peer groups: Uttarakhand tops Hilly and North-Eastern States; Goa tops City States and UTs; Gujarat tops Large States.

Don’t confuse with IFI vs Ease of Doing Business: The World Bank's Ease of Doing Business ranking was global, and discontinued in 2021. IFI is a NITI Aayog index for States and UTs.

Don’t confuse with IFI vs State Business Reform Action Plan: BRAP ranking is run by DPIIT and assesses States on reform implementation; IFI is by NITI Aayog.

Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, NITI Aayog, 17 Jul, 18:11 IST · Release 291368

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Science and technology

India's Hydrogen Fuel Cell Train

GS3 Science and TechnologyGS3 InfrastructurePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 July 2026, PM Modi flagged off India's first hydrogen train on the 90-km Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana, alongside projects worth about ₹14,700 crore.
What it is: India's hydrogen train is a 10-car trainset built in India as a pilot of Indian Railways. It makes electricity onboard from hydrogen in a PEM fuel cell, so it emits only water vapour and heat. It is backed by a hydrogen storage and refuelling facility at Jind.

Route: The train runs on the 90-km Jind–Sonipat section in Haryana.
Size and power: The train has ten coaches and 3,200 horsepower. The PM called it the most powerful of its kind globally; other countries' trains typically have three to four coaches.
Indigenous design: It was designed by Indian engineers and built by domestic manufacturers, presented as a Make in India example.
Technology: Hydrogen trains use fuel cells that combine hydrogen and oxygen to make electricity, emitting only water vapour. A PEM fuel cell uses a proton exchange membrane.
Separate infrastructure: Hydrogen trains need distinct, segregated support infrastructure such as production, storage and refuelling.
Fuel cell type: The train uses a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell, which reacts hydrogen and oxygen across a polymer membrane. Its only byproducts are water vapour and heat.
Speed: Approved maximum operating speed is 75 kmph, against a design speed of 110 kmph.
Refuelling facility: Jind, Haryana has the country's largest railway hydrogen storage and refuelling facility, holding about 3,000 kg of hydrogen.
Licence: PESO granted the licence for storage and dispensing of compressed hydrogen gas at the site.
Energy content: Hydrogen holds 120 MJ/kg, against 43 MJ/kg for diesel.

Don’t confuse with Hydrogen fuel cell train vs electric train: An electric train draws power from overhead wires. A hydrogen train makes its own electricity from hydrogen onboard.

Don’t confuse with Fuel cell vs hydrogen combustion: A fuel cell converts hydrogen to electricity chemically without burning it. Combustion engines burn hydrogen.

Don’t confuse with Fuel cell vs battery: A battery stores chemical energy inside it. A fuel cell makes electricity as long as hydrogen is supplied from outside.

Don’t confuse with Green vs grey hydrogen: Green hydrogen is made by electrolysis using renewable power. Grey hydrogen is made from natural gas and emits carbon dioxide.

Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 14

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.The hydrogen train launched at Jind generates electricity onboard through a fuel cell and emits only water vapour and heat.
2.The train was launched on the Jind–Sonipat route of about 90 km.
3.The hydrogen train has four coaches, in line with similar trains abroad.
4.The train is described as having a capacity of 3,200 horsepower.
5.In a PEM fuel cell, hydrogen is burned in an internal combustion engine to drive the train directly.
6.Hydrogen trains can run on the same infrastructure as diesel trains without any special support systems.
7.The train's system was designed and built in India, and it was presented as an example of Make in India.
8.The train generates electricity onboard through a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell.
9.The only byproducts of the fuel cell process are water vapour and heat.
10.The train is approved to operate at a maximum speed of 110 kmph.
11.The hydrogen storage and refuelling facility for the train has been licensed by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation.
12.The train's design approval and technical specifications were prepared by the Research, Design & Standards Organisation.
13.Per kilogram, hydrogen has a lower energy content than diesel.
14.In a PEM fuel cell, electricity is produced by combustion of hydrogen in air.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Prime Minister's Office, 17 Jul, 15:03 IST · Release 291349

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Economy

Index of Core Industries (ICI)

GS3 Economy - Industry dataPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 July 2026 the Office of Economic Adviser announced it will release the revised Index of Core Industries, base year 2022–23, on 20 July 2026. It adds iron ore as a ninth core industry.
What it is: The Index of Core Industries (ICI) tracks output of nine key infrastructure and industrial sectors. It is compiled monthly by the Office of the Economic Adviser, DPIIT, and the core sectors carry a large weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). It gives an early signal of industrial performance.

Headline growth: ICI grew 7.9% year-on-year in September 2026 (provisional), against 5.9% in August 2026 (final).
Sector split: Iron ore, electricity, coal, refinery products, cement and steel grew. Fertilizers, natural gas and crude oil contracted.
Cumulative growth: April-September 2026 growth was 5.1%, against 2.5% a year earlier.
Base year: The index uses 2022-23 as its base year.
Release schedule: The provisional index comes out on the 20th of the following month, or the next working day if that is a holiday.
Compiler: The Office of the Economic Adviser, DPIIT, compiles the ICI.
Number of industries: Iron ore is added, raising core industries from eight to nine.
Steel data: The Steel Index now uses gross production data instead of net production data.
Coal: Only raw coal is kept; coal middlings and washed coal are dropped to avoid double counting.

Don’t confuse with ICI vs IIP: ICI covers only nine core sectors. IIP covers mining, manufacturing and electricity more broadly, and the core sectors form part of it.

Don’t confuse with Gross vs net production: Gross production is total output; net production deducts items such as own consumption or inputs. The steel index now uses gross.

Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 17 Jul, 15:43 IST · Release 291357

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Law and statutory body

Census 2027

GS2 Governance - Census and Census Act, 1948GS1 PopulationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 July 2026, Self-Enumeration for the Houselisting and Housing Census (Phase I of Census 2027) began in Tamil Nadu and Tripura. Phase I is already complete in 29 States/UTs, and field work is underway in Kerala and Nagaland.
What it is: Census 2027 is India's national population count, run by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Census Act, 1948. It has two phases: Houselisting and Housing Census, then Population Enumeration. This round is the first to use digital tools, including a mobile app and an online self-enumeration option.

Legal basis: Census is conducted under the Census Act, 1948. Information collected is confidential and used only for statistical purposes and development planning.
Digital first: Data is collected through a dedicated mobile app, while door-to-door enumeration continues.
Self-Enumeration dates: In Tamil Nadu and Tripura, self-enumeration runs till 31 July 2026. Field enumeration follows from 1 to 30 August 2026.
HLO questionnaire: The Houselisting phase covers housing conditions, household details, amenities and assets, using 33 notified questions.
Nodal ministry: The Census is conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is a Union subject in the Seventh Schedule (Entry 69, Union List).
Digital features: Includes the CMMS portal for near real-time monitoring, a houselisting mobile app and a self-enumeration portal. Data centres are designated Critical Information Infrastructure (CII).
HLO window: The Houselisting phase runs across the country between 1 April and 30 September 2026. Each State/UT does a 30-day field operation.
Questions: 33 questions for Phase I were notified in January 2026, on housing condition, amenities and assets.
Self-Enumeration ID: On submission, a unique SE ID is generated and shared with the enumerator at the field visit for confirmation.
First states: Self-Enumeration began in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, and the NDMC and Delhi Cantonment areas. Houselisting there runs from 16 April to 15 May 2026.
Reference date: The reference date is 1 March 2027. For Ladakh, snow-bound areas of J&K, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh it is 1 October 2026.
Caste enumeration: Castes will be enumerated in Phase II, as decided by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA).
Outlay: The Union Government approved an outlay of ₹11,718.24 crore.
Self-enumeration: Respondents fill the schedule on a portal, get a unique SE ID and give it to the enumerator.
Notification: The Centre notified its intent to hold the Census by Gazette Notification on 16 June 2025.
Tool developer: C-DAC developed the digital platforms for enumeration.
Phase 2 and reference date: Population Enumeration is in February 2027, with reference date 1 March 2027. Ladakh and snow-bound areas of J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand use 1 October 2026.
Caste question: Caste-related questions will be included in the second phase.

Don’t confuse with Census vs Sample Registration System: The Census is a full count every ten years. The SRS is a yearly sample survey that estimates birth and death rates.

Don’t confuse with Houselisting phase vs Population Enumeration phase: Houselisting records housing and assets of households. Population Enumeration records details of each person.

Don’t confuse with Census vs SECC: The Census is under the Census Act, 1948. The Socio-Economic and Caste Census of 2011 was a separate exercise and not under that Act.

Don’t confuse with Census Act, 1948 vs Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969: The Census Act governs the decennial count. The 1969 Act governs civil registration of births and deaths.

Don’t confuse with HLO vs Population Enumeration: HLO covers housing, amenities and assets. Population Enumeration collects details of each person.

Don’t confuse with Houselisting vs Population Enumeration: Phase I covers houses, amenities and assets. Phase II covers each person: demographics, education, migration, fertility and caste.

Don’t confuse with SECC 2011 vs Census: The Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011 was a separate exercise. Census 2027 enumerates caste within the Census itself under the Census Act.

Don’t confuse with Census vs NPR: The Census is a count under the Census Act, 1948. The National Population Register is a register of usual residents under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Why it matters

Gives the base data for delimitation, policy planning, and targeting of welfare schemes.
Digital collection can speed up processing and improve accuracy.
Gives the base data for planning, delimitation and targeting of schemes.
Caste data can inform policy for backward groups. It fills a gap left since the 1931 caste count.
Census data are the base for planning, welfare targeting and policy for the next decade.
Digital capture and self-enumeration can speed up work and improve convenience.
It provides the base data for planning, welfare targeting and resource sharing.
Caste enumeration will give fresh data for the reservation and social justice debate.
A digital census can speed up processing and cut errors.
Digital collection can speed up data processing and cut paperwork and errors.
Census data underpins delimitation, welfare targeting and planning.

Problems

Data privacy and security concerns with app-based and online collection.
The digital divide may limit self-enumeration, and the staggered State-wise schedule needs coordination.
Data security and privacy risks in a first digital exercise.
Caste enumeration raises questions of classification, accuracy and political use.
Reaching the digitally excluded and remote areas.
Digital divide may limit self-enumeration in rural and poor areas.
Data security and privacy concerns with online collection.
Data security and privacy of online and app-based collection.
Digital divide may limit self-enumeration; training over 3 million staff is a big task.
Caste data may stir political and social disputes, and delimitation concerns may follow.
Digital divide and data privacy risks in online self-enumeration and app-based collection.
Handling caste data raises questions of accuracy and social sensitivity.

Way forward

Keep strict confidentiality safeguards under the Census Act and publish clear data-protection practices.
Keep door-to-door enumeration strong alongside digital options to ensure full coverage.
Strong audits and clear data-protection safeguards.
Careful enumerator training and public awareness, with the offline app and field verification kept as backup.
Keep enumerator visits and assistance for those without digital access.
Maintain strong encryption and confidentiality safeguards under the Census Act.
Strong data protection safeguards and clear limits on use of personal data.
Awareness drives in regional languages, with enumerators backing up those offline.
Publish data on time and transparently, with clear caste classification.
Keep offline modes, multilingual support and field verification so no group is missed.
Put strong data security and confidentiality safeguards in place.

Put in your answer

Census Act, 1948: The Act provides the legal basis for the Census and requires information to be kept confidential.

First digital Census: Mobile app data collection and self-enumeration mark a shift to e-governance in statistics.

Census Act, 1948, Section 15: Confidentiality of individual data, which supports public trust in the Census.

Pre-test for Phase I: A nationwide pre-test covering about 5,000 census blocks was held in November 2025 to validate methods and tools.

Scale: Census 2027 covers 36 States/UTs, 7,092 sub-districts and around 6,39,902 villages.

Digital first: Enumerators submit data via a mobile app; the app and portal work in 16 languages.

Outlay: ₹11,718.24 crore approved for Census 2027.

Self-enumeration: A secure web-based facility lets households submit data online in 16 languages before the door-to-door survey.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 12

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.The Houselisting and Housing Census phase will be conducted between April 1 and September 30, 2026.
2.The Self-Enumeration portal is available in 16 regional languages.
3.The Census is conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
4.Census 2027 will be the 16th census in India's series and the 8th since independence.
5.The Census of India is conducted under the Census Act, 1948 and the Census Rules, 1990.
6.Enumeration of castes will be done in Phase I, the Houselisting and Housing Census.
7.The reference date for Census 2027 is 1 March 2027 for most of the country, but 1 October 2026 for Ladakh and snow-bound areas.
8.The Census in India is conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
9.Census 2027 will be the first Indian census conducted using digital tools.
10.The Census Management and Monitoring System portal lets officers at sub-district, district and state levels track enumeration progress in real time.
11.The reference date for Census 2027 is 1 March 2027 for all States and Union Territories without exception.
12.The Census in India is conducted under the Census Act, 1948.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Home Affairs, 17 Jul, 15:17 IST · Release 291354

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

PM-NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme)

GS2 Welfare schemes - SkillingGS3 EmploymentPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 17 July 2026, MSDE extended the special apprenticeship intervention for the North-Eastern Region under PM-NAPS for FY 2026–27, with a target of 30,000 apprentices and an outlay of ₹57.58 crore.
What it is: NAPS is a central scheme to promote apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. The Government shares part of the stipend that establishments pay apprentices. Since 2022-23 it runs as NAPS-2 across the country.

Stipend support via DBT: The Government pays its share of the stipend straight into apprentices' bank accounts. This ensures transparency and timely payment.
Portal and TPAs: The apprenticeshipindia.gov.in portal handles the process end to end. Empanelled Third Party Aggregators help mobilise apprentices and establishments, especially MSMEs.
Outcome evidence: An AJNIFM evaluation found that around 72% of apprentices were offered full-time jobs after training.
Implementing agency: The Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati, will implement the extended intervention.
Outlay: ₹57.58 crore is earmarked for FY 2026–27, met from the North-Eastern Region component of PM-NAPS.
Pilot results: Apprenticeship engagement in the region rose 51 per cent, from 15,562 in FY 2024–25 to 23,470 in FY 2025–26.
Legal basis: Apprenticeship training in India is governed by the Apprentices Act, 1961.

Don’t confuse with Apprenticeship vs Skill India courses: Apprenticeship is on-the-job training in an establishment under a contract and a stipend. Short-term skilling courses such as PMKVY are classroom-based training.

Don’t confuse with PM-NAPS vs NATS: Both support apprenticeships. NATS (National Apprenticeship Training Scheme) is the older scheme, run by the Ministry of Education, and covers graduate, technician and diploma apprentices. PM-NAPS is run by MSDE.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A lasting scheme with a North-East extension, with an outlay and target. Updates are small, so a question on this news is unlikely.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 17 Jul, 15:21 IST · Release 291356

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Law and statutory body

Dam Safety Act, 2021 and National Committee on Dam Safety

GS3 Infrastructure - Water resourcesGS2 Statutory bodiesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: The 12th meeting of the National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) was held in New Delhi on July 17, 2026, chaired by the Chairman of the Central Water Commission. It agreed on new regulations and guidelines and asked States to meet the December 2026 compliance deadline.
What it is: The Dam Safety Act, 2021 provides for surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of specified dams to prevent dam failure disasters. It sets up the National Committee on Dam Safety and the National Dam Safety Authority at the Centre, and State Committees and State Dam Safety Organisations in States.

Who chaired the meeting: The 12th NCDS meeting was chaired by the Chairman of the Central Water Commission.
New regulation planned: The Committee agreed to work on a new regulation on surveillance and security of specified dams, given emerging threats.
Dam failures reviewed: Owners presented on recent failures including Luti Tank, Rajadera, Teesta Stage-III and Madhopur barrage.
Legal basis: The Dam Safety Act, 2021 is a Central law that creates the NCDS and the National Dam Safety Authority.
Specified dam: The Act covers dams above 15 m in height, or 10-15 m if they meet prescribed technical criteria.
Four-tier structure: NCDS is the apex body, NDSA the regulatory and implementing arm, with SCDS and SDSO in States.
Commencement: The Act came into force on 30 December 2021.
Penalties: Chapter X deals with offences. Obstruction or refusal to comply with directions can bring up to one year's imprisonment, a fine, or both. If it causes loss of life or imminent danger, imprisonment can go up to two years.
Dam ownership: State Governments own about 98.5% of specified dams (6,448).
NETRA: NDSA Engine for Tracking and Review using AI, built with WESEE, an Indian Navy R&D laboratory. It gives a conversational interface to NDSA documents.
DHARMA: National repository of dam safety data, covering more than 6,600 specified dams and thousands of inspection reports. NETRA is integrated with it.
Rashtriya Bandh Suraksha Darpan: Visualisation platform developed by C-DAC to present Dam Break Analysis results.
Inspections: More than 13,000 inspection reports are generated each year from pre-monsoon and post-monsoon dam inspections.
Old dams in the register: The National Register of Specified Dams 2025, compiled by the National Dam Safety Authority, lists 1,681 specified dams over fifty years old.
Owner's duty: Under the Act, each owner of a specified dam must inspect it every year before and after the monsoon.
Three categories: Inspections sort dams by urgency of repair. Category-III needs minor remedial work, Category-II major deficiencies needing prompt action, and Category-I the most serious deficiencies that may lead to failure.

Don’t confuse with NCDS vs NDSA: The National Committee on Dam Safety evolves policies and recommends regulations. The National Dam Safety Authority implements policy, resolves inter-State issues and acts as the regulator.

Don’t confuse with State Committee vs State Dam Safety Organisation: The State Dam Safety Organisation does the field work of surveillance and inspection, while the State Committee on Dam Safety reviews it at State level.

Don’t confuse with DRIP Phase I vs Phases II and III: Phase I (2012-2021) was World Bank supported and covered 223 dams in seven states. Phases II and III began in October 2021, are co-financed by the World Bank and AIIB, and cover 736 dams.

Don’t confuse with NDSA vs CWC: The Central Water Commission is the older technical body under the Jal Shakti Ministry. The NDSA is a separate statutory authority under the 2021 Act.

Don’t confuse with National Committee on Dam Safety vs National Dam Safety Authority: The Committee oversees dam safety policies and recommends regulations. The Authority implements policy, maintains the national register and resolves disputes between State bodies, among other tasks.

Don’t confuse with DRIP vs the Dam Safety Act: DRIP is a funded rehabilitation scheme with external financing. The Act is the legal framework for surveillance and safety of specified dams.

Why it matters

Ageing dams and recent failures make uniform safety standards across States important for protecting lives and downstream property.
Gives dam safety a statutory basis with fixed owner duties and timelines. Earlier, safety depended on State practice.
Uniform standards across States address dam failure risk as 26% of dams are over 50 years old.
Digital tools help track many dams and inspection reports, making safety oversight more data-driven.
Dam break visualisation supports risk assessment and emergency planning for downstream areas.
Annual inspections and categorisation let repairs be prioritised before failures occur.
Ageing dams pose risks to life, property and water security, so a statutory framework matters.

Problems

Many State Dam Safety Organisations are weak, and compliance with evaluations, emergency plans and risk studies lags.
Reservoir sedimentation and security threats are emerging issues without clear regulation.
State ownership of about 98.5% of dams means safety depends on State capacity and funds.
Ageing and sedimentation reduce safety and storage; CWC data on 439 reservoirs show an average 19% loss of storage.
Many dams are owned by States, so consistent compliance and data entry vary.
Ageing dams and extreme rainfall raise failure risk beyond what digital tools alone can fix.
Owners hold primary responsibility, and capacity and funds vary across States and agencies.
Rehabilitation is slow: Rs 2,029 crore had been spent under DRIP-II by 31 December 2025, against Rs 5,107 crore outlay for the phase.

Way forward

Build State capacity through training with institutions like IITs and NITs, and enforce statutory deadlines.
Frame regulations on dam surveillance, security and sedimentation management.
Ensure owners earmark funds for maintenance, and use DHARMA data for risk-based prioritisation.
Complete rehabilitation under DRIP and build expertise through the Centres of Excellence.
Ensure States keep DHARMA data updated and act on inspection findings.
Link dam break analysis to Emergency Action Plans and local disaster management.
Speed up approved DRIP-II works and follow up on Category-I and II dams, including Medigadda.
Strengthen State dam safety organisations and publish inspection findings and Emergency Action Plans.

Put in your answer

Dam Safety Act, 2021 compliance push: The NCDS asked States to complete evaluations, emergency action plans and risk assessments for all specified dams by December 2026.

Scale of oversight: DHARMA covers more than 6,600 specified dams.

Inspection volume: Over 13,000 inspection reports are generated each year.

Old dams: 1,681 specified dams are over fifty years old (NRSD 2025), showing the scale of ageing infrastructure.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, 17 Jul, 19:33 IST · Release 291378

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Quick facts

Daman's NAMO Airport, a dual-use civil terminal at the Coast Guard Air Station, got its first direct flight (Alliance Air, Daman-Delhi) on 16 July 2026.

Source: PIB, 17 Jul

What we left out: 33 of 42 releases

Workshops and events (9)
Same issue as another release (5)
Speeches without a decision (5)
Routine local settlements (1)
Routine announcements (1)
Routine research findings (2)
Expos and exhibitions (3)
Same issue on file, no new fact (1)
Routine curriculum notice (1)
Ceremonies and campaigns (3)
Routine penalty orders (1)
Visits without a decision (1)

Practise the day’s news

In UPSC’s formats, inside each issue. The answer and why come after you choose.

1National Anti-Doping Act, 2022MCQ · 6 true or false
2UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik)MCQ · 23 true or false · Mains
3Investment Friendliness Index (NITI Aayog)MCQ · 7 true or false · Mains
4India's Hydrogen Fuel Cell TrainMCQ · 14 true or false
5Index of Core Industries (ICI)MCQ · 5 true or false
6Census 2027MCQ · 12 true or false · Mains
7Dam Safety Act, 2021 and National Committee on Dam SafetyMCQ · 7 true or false

Mains question of the day

10 marks · 150 words

India has brought the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Act, 2025 into force. Discuss the key provisions of the legislation, and examine its significance and the challenges in building a credible anti-doping system in India.

From: National Anti-Doping Act, 2022

Write and get it marked

Keep reading

The day before

Thursday, 16 July 2026Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Norms · UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) · NITI Aayog Roadmap for Bioeconomy Powerhouse by 2035 and 5 more

The day after

Saturday, 18 July 2026Vikram-1 (Skyroot Aerospace) and Indian Space Policy 2023 · White Rabbit Technology for Indian Standard Time dissemination · ALMM List-II for solar PV cells

All days

Practice · 7 Mains question