DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 27th July 2026

Governance & Social Justice / Inclusive Growth

Why in News?

The Government recently highlighted the achievements of the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), stating that over 4.32 lakh rural enterprises had been supported across the country by June 2026. The programme has significantly promoted entrepreneurship among women and socially disadvantaged communities. 

About SVEP

• Launched: 2016. 
• Implemented under: Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). 
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development. 
• Objective: Promote non-farm rural enterprises by enabling Self-Help Group (SHG) members and rural households to establish sustainable micro-enterprises. 

Key Features

• Provides training, mentoring, financial linkages, and business incubation. 
• Develops Community Resource Persons for Enterprise Promotion (CRP-EPs) to handhold entrepreneurs. 
• Facilitates access to bank credit and community-managed funds. 
• Focuses on local value addition, employment generation, and reducing rural distress migration. 
• As of June 2026: 
  • 4.32 lakh+ enterprises supported. 
  • Around 86% of beneficiaries belong to SC, ST, OBC, and Minority communities, reflecting its inclusive approach. 

UPSC Prelims Focus

• Remember that SVEP is a sub-scheme of DAY-NRLM, not Startup India. 
• Distinguish it from PMEGP, MUDRA Yojana, and Stand-Up India based on objectives and implementing ministries. 
• Link the programme with rural entrepreneurship, SHG-led development, women’s economic empowerment, and inclusive growth—all recurring UPSC Prelims themes. 

Source/Reference:

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2289268&reg=48&lang=1&utm_source=chatgpt.com

Economy & Industry

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet has approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan (BHAVYA Rasayan) Scheme to establish three dedicated Chemical Parks across India. Announced in the Union Budget 2026–27, the scheme aims to strengthen domestic chemical manufacturing, reduce import dependence, and improve global competitiveness. 

Key Features of the Scheme

• Full Form: Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan (BHAVYA Rasayan). 
• Nodal Ministry: Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. 
• Type: Central Sector Scheme. 
• Implementation Period: FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31 (5 years). 
• Financial Outlay: ₹3,030 crore 
  • ₹3,000 crore for common infrastructure. 
  • ₹30 crore for administrative expenditure. 
• The Centre will provide up to ₹1,000 crore per Chemical Park, subject to a minimum ₹500 crore contribution by the respective State Government. 

Objectives & Significance

• Develop world-class plug-and-play infrastructure for chemical industries. 
• Create common facilities such as: 
  • Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) 
  • Hazardous Waste Management Systems 
  • Utilities and logistics infrastructure. 
• Promote upstream, downstream, and ancillary industries. 
• Enhance exports, attract domestic and foreign investment, generate employment, and support Atmanirbhar Bharat through sustainable industrial development. 

UPSC Prelims Focus

• Remember that BHAVYA Rasayan is a Central Sector Scheme, not a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. 
• UPSC may ask about the nodal ministry, financial outlay (₹3,030 crore), implementation period (2026–31), and the Centre–State funding pattern. 
• Link the scheme with industrial corridors, Make in India, National Chemicals Policy, environmental infrastructure, and ease of doing business in the manufacturing sector. 

Source/Reference:

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2288866&reg=3&lang=1

Environment & Ecology

Why in News?

The Bornadi (Barnadi) Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam has recorded the return of the endangered Dhole (Asiatic Wild Dog) after several years through camera-trap evidence. The sighting is considered a positive indicator of habitat restoration and improved ecological connectivity in the Eastern Himalayan landscape. 

About Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Udalguri and Baksa districts, Assam, along the Indo-Bhutan border in the Himalayan foothills. 
• Established: 1980. 
• Area: 26.22 sq. km, making it one of Assam’s smallest wildlife sanctuaries. 
• Named after the Bornadi River, which forms its western boundary. 
• Established primarily for the conservation of: 
  • Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania) 
  • Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus) 

Biodiversity Significance

• Forms part of the Greater Manas Landscape, enhancing wildlife connectivity with Bhutan. 
• Important fauna include: 
  • Dhole (Cuon alpinus) – Endangered (IUCN) 
  • Golden Langur 
  • Clouded Leopard 
  • Hoolock Gibbon 
  • White-winged Wood Duck 
  • Bengal Florican 
  • Hornbills and several migratory bird species. 

UPSC Prelims Focus

• Remember that Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary was created primarily to protect the Pygmy Hog and Hispid Hare, two of India’s rarest mammals. 
• Differentiate between National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries regarding legal protection and human activities. 
• Link the sanctuary with the Greater Manas Landscape, Indo-Bhutan transboundary conservation, and the conservation of the Dhole, an Endangered canid protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Such protected areas and flagship species are frequent UPSC Prelims themes. 

Source/Reference:

https://newire.in/articles/rare-dholes-return-to-assam-s-barnadi-sanctuary

International Reports, Social Sector, Food Security

Why in News?

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2026 Report, jointly released by five UN agencies, reported a modest decline in global hunger for the third consecutive year. India recorded significant improvements in reducing undernourishment, though challenges relating to affordability of healthy diets and malnutrition remain. 

Key Highlights

• Published by: FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. 
• Objective: Assess global progress on food security, hunger and nutrition and monitor SDG-2 (Zero Hunger). 
• Global Hunger (2025): 
  • 645 million people (7.8% of world population) faced hunger. 
  • Down from 8.1% (2024) and 8.6% (2022). 
• Around 2.1 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity. 
• 2.69 billion people could not afford a healthy diet globally. 
• India recorded a 42% decline in undernourishment over the past two decades, driven by welfare programmes and improved agricultural productivity, though about 520 million people still cannot afford a healthy diet. 

UPSC Prelims Focus

• Remember the five UN agencies that jointly publish the SOFI Report. 
• Differentiate hunger, undernourishment, food insecurity, and malnutrition. 
• Link the report with SDG-2 (Zero Hunger), National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), POSHAN Abhiyaan, and the Public Distribution System (PDS). UPSC frequently asks about international reports, their publishing organizations, and food-security indicators. 

Source/Reference:

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/hunger-declines-but-still-100-million-go-hungry-in-india-shows-un-data

Indian Economy

Why in News?

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has released a consultation paper proposing a comprehensive overhaul of the SEBI (Portfolio Managers) Regulations, 2020. The reforms aim to enhance investor protection, expand investment opportunities, improve transparency, and facilitate ease of doing business in the rapidly growing PMS industry. 

What is Portfolio Management Service (PMS)?

• Portfolio Management Service (PMS) is a professional investment management service in which a SEBI-registered portfolio manager manages an investor’s portfolio of securities according to agreed investment objectives. 
• It is primarily designed for High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs). 
• Regulator: Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). 
• Current minimum investment: ₹50 lakh under the existing PMS framework. 

Key Proposed Reforms

• Introduction of a new Mutual Fund-only PMS (MF-PMS) category with a minimum investment of ₹25 lakh. 
• Allow portfolio managers to invest in: 
  • Overseas listed securities. 
  • Unlisted debt securities. 
  • Securities proposed to be listed. 
• Relax compliance requirements for smaller portfolio managers. 
• Enhance disclosure norms, fee transparency, governance, and risk management. 
• Permit greater flexibility in the use of derivatives within prescribed limits. 

UPSC Prelims Focus

• Differentiate PMS, Mutual Funds, Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), and Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) based on minimum investment, customization, and regulatory framework. 
• Remember that PMS is individually managed and customized, unlike pooled mutual fund investments. 
• UPSC may ask about the regulator (SEBI), minimum investment threshold, or the objectives of the proposed reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, investor protection, and market efficiency. 

Source/Reference:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/sebi-pms-rules-overhaul-explained-10801795/

Geography

Why in News?

India rejected Pakistan’s allegations that it deliberately created a flood-like situation by increasing the flow of the Chenab River, stating that the surge was caused by intense monsoon rainfall over Jammu and adjoining catchment areas, leading to a natural rise in river discharge. 

About the Chenab River

• The Chenab is one of the western rivers of the Indus River System. 
• It originates from the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi, in Lahaul-Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh. 
• It flows through Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir (UT), and enters Pakistan, where it eventually joins the Indus River. 
• Length: Approximately 960 km. 
• Major tributaries include: 
  • Marusudar 
  • Tawi 
  • Ujh 
• It is one of the largest contributors of water to the Indus Basin. 

Strategic Importance

• The Chenab has significant hydroelectric potential and hosts major projects such as: 
  • Baglihar Hydroelectric Project 
  • Salal Hydroelectric Project 
  • Ratle Hydroelectric Project 
  • Pakal Dul Project 
  • Kiru and Kwar Hydroelectric Projects 
• Under the Indus Waters Treaty (1960), the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) were allocated primarily to Pakistan, while India retains limited rights for run-of-the-river hydropower, irrigation, and domestic use. 

UPSC Prelims Focus

• Remember the origin (Chandra + Bhaga at Tandi) and that Chenab is a western river under the Indus Waters Treaty. 
• Differentiate eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) from western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab). 
• Link the river with transboundary water sharing, hydroelectric projects, and monsoon-induced flooding. UPSC frequently asks about river origins, tributaries, dams, and international river treaties. 

Source/Reference:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/baseless-allegations-says-india-on-pakistans-claims-of-creating-a-flood-like-situation-by-increasing-flow-of-chenab/article71263476.ece

Environment & Ecology

Why in News?

A 26-year-old farmer was critically injured in a suspected leopard attack inside Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha after entering the forest to retrieve his cattle. The incident has once again highlighted the growing challenge of human–wildlife conflict in ecologically sensitive protected areas. 

About Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Balasore district, Odisha, in the Eastern Ghats. 
• Established: 1984. 
• Area: 272.75 sq. km. 
• Forms part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve. 
• Connected to Similipal Tiger Reserve through the Sukhupada and Nato hill ranges, serving as a crucial wildlife corridor. 
• Declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). 

Biodiversity

• Forest Type: Tropical moist and dry deciduous forests dominated by Sal (Shorea robusta), bamboo, and other mixed deciduous species. 
• Major Fauna: 
  • Asian Elephant 
  • Leopard 
  • Gaur (Indian Bison) 
  • Malabar Giant Squirrel 
  • Barking Deer 
  • Wild Boar 
  • Giant Flying Squirrel 
• Rich avifauna includes Hornbills, Hill Mynas, Peafowl, and numerous migratory birds. 

UPSC Prelims Focus

• Remember that Kuldiha is part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve and acts as a corridor linking Similipal Tiger Reserve with adjoining forests. 
• Differentiate between Wildlife Sanctuary, Tiger Reserve, Elephant Reserve, and Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). 
• Link the sanctuary with Project Elephant, landscape-level conservation, and mitigation of human–wildlife conflict, all of which are recurring UPSC Prelims themes. 

Source/Reference:

https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/states/odisha/2026/Jul/25/man-hurt-in-leopard-attack-inside-kuldiha-sanctuary

GS II – Health / GS III – Science & Technology
Public Health Policy, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Evidence-Based Medicine

Introduction

Antibiotics are vital in India, but their misuse and overuse are driving antimicrobial resistance (AMR), threatening public health and medical progress. Tackling this silent pandemic requires evidence-based prescriptions, antibiotic stewardship, stronger surveillance, and public awareness, with coordinated action by healthcare providers, policymakers, and citizens.

The AMR Crisis: Magnitude and Drivers

Global and National Burden

• Global Threat: AMR could cause 10 million annual deaths by 2050 (UN estimate); economic losses comparable to 2008 financial crisis.
• India’s Burden: Highest AMR rates among Gram-negative bacteria globally; ~60,000 newborns die annually from antibiotic-resistant infections.
• Economic Impact: Significant healthcare costs, prolonged hospital stays, and lost productivity.

Drivers of AMR in India

• Over-the-Counter Sales: Widespread availability of antibiotics without prescription.
• Incomplete Courses: Patients stopping treatment prematurely.
• Irrational Use: Broad-spectrum antibiotics for viral infections (e.g., common cold).
• Animal Agriculture: Heavy use of antibiotics in livestock and poultry.
• Environmental Contamination: Discharge from pharmaceutical manufacturing and hospitals.

Consequences

• Treatment Failure: Infections becoming untreatable with first-line drugs.
• Surgical Risk: Routine procedures (caesareans, joint replacements) becoming high-risk.
• Vulnerable Populations: Immunocompromised, elderly, and children most affected.
• Pandemic Vulnerability: AMR compounds threats from infectious disease outbreaks.

Current Policy and Regulatory Framework

National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR)

• Launched: 2017; aligns with WHO Global Action Plan.
• Objectives: Awareness, surveillance, infection prevention, optimized use, and R&D.
• Progress: Limited implementation; need for stronger enforcement and monitoring.

Regulatory Measures

• Schedule H and H1: Restrict antibiotics; require prescription.
• Red Line Campaign: Awareness on red-striped antibiotics (to prevent misuse).
• Pharmacy Regulations: Enforcement weak; OTC sales persist.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

• Healthcare Settings: Need for robust IPC practices (hand hygiene, sterilization).
• Vaccination: Reduces need for antibiotics (e.g., pneumococcal, influenza vaccines).
• Water and Sanitation: WASH interventions reduce bacterial infections.

AMR Surveillance

• ICMR-AMR Network: Tracks resistance patterns across India.
• Integrated Surveillance: Human, animal, and environmental data needed.

Challenges

• Enforcement: Weak regulation of antibiotic sales; minimal penalties.
• Awareness: Low public understanding of AMR; expectation of antibiotics for viral illnesses.
• Healthcare Practice: Pressure to prescribe; diagnostic uncertainty.
• Animal Sector: Inadequate regulation of antibiotic use in food animals.
• Environmental: Pharmaceutical effluent not effectively controlled.

Way Forward: Evidence-Based Restraint

Stewardship in Healthcare

• Antibiotic Stewardship Programs (ASPs): Protocols for appropriate use in hospitals.
• Diagnostic Stewardship: Rapid diagnostics to distinguish bacterial from viral infections.
• Clinical Guidelines: Evidence-based protocols for common infections.
• Training: Medical education on rational prescribing.

Strengthening Regulation

• Enforce Prescription: Strict penalties for OTC sales; regular inspections.
• Track and Trace: Digital monitoring of antibiotic sales and use.
• Animal Antibiotics: Ban growth promoters; regulate veterinary use.
• Environmental Standards: Effluent limits for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Public Awareness

• Behaviour Change: Campaigns on completing courses, not demanding antibiotics.
• School Education: AMR awareness in curriculum.
• Community Engagement: Use local languages and community health workers.

Surveillance and Research

• One Health Approach: Integrate human, animal, and environmental surveillance.
• AMR Data: Public dashboards; inform policy and practice.
• R&D: Incentivize new antibiotics, diagnostics, and vaccines.

Global Cooperation

• Global AMR Fund: Support low- and middle-income countries.
• International Standards: Harmonize regulations on antibiotic use.
• Knowledge Sharing: Learn from countries with successful stewardship (e.g., UK, Sweden).

Conclusion

Antibiotics are priceless tools, but their overuse threatens to make them obsolete. India’s high infectious disease burden makes antibiotics indispensable, yet the current trajectory of AMR is unsustainable. Addressing the AMR crisis requires replacing quick-fix prescriptions with evidence-based care, supported by robust stewardship, regulation, awareness, and surveillance. The time for restraint is now—to preserve antibiotics for future generations and protect the gains of modern medicine.

Practice Question

1. India’s high infectious disease burden makes antibiotics indispensable, but their overuse has accelerated antimicrobial resistance. Critically examine the drivers of AMR in India and suggest a multi-pronged strategy to promote evidence-based antibiotic use. (250 words, 15 marks)

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/forced-labour-farce-on-india-and-the-uss-new-tariffs/article71272646.ece

GS II – Health / GS II – Governance
Disease Control, Universal Health Coverage, and Health Systems Strengthening

Introduction

India’s National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP), launched in 2018, targets Hepatitis B and C through free diagnostics, treatment, vaccination, and integrated surveillance. By leveraging existing health programmes and digital systems, India aims to achieve the WHO’s 2030 hepatitis elimination goal.

Understanding Hepatitis: Types, Transmission, and Treatment

The Five Hepatitis Viruses

Burden in India

• Seroprevalence (2021 HIV Sentinel Surveillance):
  • Hepatitis B: ~0.85% (≈1 in 118 people)
  • Hepatitis C: ~0.29% (≈1 in 345 people)
• Common Types: Hepatitis B and C cause chronic disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
• Modes: Unsafe injections, mother-to-child, contaminated blood/water, poor sanitation.

National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP)

Launch and Objectives

• Launched: 2018
• Goal: Combat hepatitis through preventive, promotive, and curative interventions.
• Focus: Awareness generation, increasing access, diagnosis, and treatment for all in need.
• Coverage: Deals with Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses.

Key Strategies

• Surveillance: Hepatitis A and E monitored through Integrated Disease Surveillance Program.
• Free Diagnostics and Drugs: For Hepatitis B and C management.
• Paperless System: NVHCP-MIS portal for recording, reporting, and patient monitoring.
• Toll-Free Helpline: 1800-11-6666 (shared with NTEP) for information on prevention, transmission, management, and service delivery sites.

Integration with Other National Programs

• Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health & Nutrition:
  • Universal screening of pregnant women for Hepatitis B.
• Universal Immunization Program:
  • 100% Hepatitis B birth dose to all newborns.
  • Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) to newborns of positive mothers within 24 hours.
• National AIDS Control Program (NACP):
  • Screening of high-risk groups for Hepatitis B and C.
  • Hepatitis B vaccination for healthcare workers and high-risk groups.
• National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP):
  • Use of existing molecular testing machines for Hepatitis C diagnosis.
• Blood Transfusion Services:
  • Linkage of Hepatitis B/C positive donors for further management.

Progress and Decentralisation

Achievements

• Free Services: Screening and treatment for Hepatitis B and C available nationwide.
• Integration: Smart use of local funding, cheaper generic drugs, and existing health programs.
• Decentralisation: Services moving from district hospitals to local health centers, improving access.

Approach

• Health Systems Strengthening: Leveraging existing infrastructure (e.g., HIV sentinel surveillance, TB molecular testing).
• Generic Drugs: Use of affordable Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs) for Hepatitis C (cure rates nearly 100%).
• Inclusivity: Reflects Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas – inclusive growth, reaching every citizen.

Challenges

• Awareness: Low public awareness of hepatitis transmission and prevention.
• Stigma: Associated with liver disease and viral infections.
• Access: Remote and underserved areas still lack diagnostic and treatment facilities.
• Prevention Gaps: Hepatitis B vaccine coverage, especially birth dose, needs strengthening.
• Surveillance: Need for comprehensive data on all hepatitis types.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Prevention: Ensure 100% Hepatitis B birth dose and safe injection practices.
• Expand Access: Decentralize services to primary health centers and community level.
• Enhance Awareness: Mass media campaigns and community engagement.
• Improve Surveillance: Integrate hepatitis surveillance into routine health information systems.
• Address Stigma: Community education and support groups.

Conclusion

India’s National Viral Hepatitis Control Program has improved access to diagnostics and treatment through decentralisation and integration with health programmes. However, awareness, stigma, and prevention gaps persist. Strengthening Hepatitis B vaccination, early detection, treatment access, and public awareness is crucial to achieving the 2030 hepatitis elimination goal.

Practice Question

1. India’s National Viral Hepatitis Control Program demonstrates a health systems approach to disease control, but challenges of awareness, access, and prevention persist. Critically examine the strategies, achievements, and challenges of India’s hepatitis control efforts. (250 words, 15 marks)

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2289761&reg=3&lang=1