UPSC EPFO / APFC Current Affairs — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Sun, 26 Jul 2026
Mann Ki Baat 136th episode: Vagu mats, Chongpreng, Khadi sales and more
In the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat on 26 July 2026, PM Narendra Modi highlighted Kashmir's Vagu mat, Tripura's Chongpreng instrument, record Khadi sales of nearly ₹8,000 crore and Kerala's 'Aksharakanduk' Sanskrit-football project.
Nandan Nilekani to head high-powered task force on examination reforms
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on 26 July 2026 the constitution of a high-powered task force on examination reforms, led by Nandan Nilekani, to recommend changes to the examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
PM interacts with participants of Viksit Vibrant Village Programme 2026
PM Narendra Modi virtually interacted on 26 July 2026 with MY Bharat volunteers of the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme 2026, who shared experiences from border villages in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Ladakh.
India's best showing at 2026 Science Olympiads: all-gold in Physics and Chemistry
PM Modi said in Mann Ki Baat on 26 July 2026 that all five Indian students won gold and India topped the 2026 Physics Olympiad, all Indian students won gold in the Chemistry Olympiad, and the Maths team won two golds and four silvers.
Pralhad Joshi takes charge as Union Education Minister
Pralhad Joshi took charge of the Union Ministry of Education at Kartavya Bhavan on 26 July 2026, a day after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister.
'Prarambh' orientation workshop for new Rajya Sabha members concludes
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh delivered the valedictory address on 26 July 2026 at 'Prarambh', a two-day orientation workshop for newly elected and nominated members of the Rajya Sabha.
Sat, 25 Jul 2026
Dharmendra Pradhan resigns; Pralhad Joshi gets charge of Education Ministry
On 25 July 2026, the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, accepted Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation from the Union Council of Ministers under Article 75(2), and assigned the Ministry of Education to Cabinet Minister Pralhad Joshi in addition to his existing portfolio.
775 Fast Track Special Courts functional; scheme extended to 30 September 2026
The Law Ministry told Parliament on 25 July 2026 that 775 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including 398 exclusive POCSO courts, were functional in 29 States/UTs as of 30 April 2026, and the FTSC scheme has been temporarily extended up to 30 September 2026.
DISHA 2.0: ₹255 crore scheme for technology-driven access to justice (2026-31)
The Law Ministry informed Parliament on 25 July 2026 that DISHA 2.0 (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice), a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of ₹255 crore for 2026-31, is being implemented across India.
Tributes to former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on his birth anniversary
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla paid floral tributes to former Speaker Somnath Chatterjee in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan on his birth anniversary on 25 July 2026.
Anahat Singh becomes first Indian World Junior Squash Champion
Top seed Anahat Singh beat Egypt's Ruqayya Salem 3-0 (11-3, 11-7, 11-9) on 25 July 2026 at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, to become the first Indian to win the World Squash Junior Championship title.
Drilling begins on first appraisal well in Mahanadi offshore basin
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri marked the start of drilling (spudding) of MN-DWN18-1-HD, the first appraisal well in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, on 25 July 2026.
INS Sudarshini leaves Boston after SAIL 250 events under Lokayan 26
Indian Navy sail training ship INS Sudarshini departed Boston, USA on 25 July 2026 as part of its ongoing Lokayan 26 voyage, after representing India at the SAIL 250 celebrations and the International Naval Review 250.
Fri, 24 Jul 2026
Cabinet approves BHAVYA Rasayan scheme for three Chemical Parks
The Union Cabinet on 24 July 2026 approved Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan (BHAVYA Rasayan), a ₹3,030 crore scheme to set up three dedicated Chemical Parks, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27.
Jhandu Kumar wins India's first medal of Glasgow 2026 – para powerlifting bronze
Para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar won bronze in the men's heavyweight event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on 24 July 2026, opening India's medal tally at the Games.
Information & Broadcasting Ministry releases TV Rating Policy 2026
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting released the Television Rating Policy 2026, replacing the Guidelines for TV Rating Agencies of 16 January 2014, to bring transparency, independence and accountability to TV audience measurement (informed 24 July 2026).
India's services exports rise to USD 421.3 billion in FY 2025-26
India's services exports rose to USD 421.3 billion in FY 2025-26 from USD 387.5 billion in FY 2024-25, led by telecommunications, computer and information services, the Commerce Ministry told Parliament on 24 July 2026, citing RBI data.
167th Income Tax Day: Sitharaman outlines '5Rs' of responsive tax governance
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, at the CBDT's 167th Income Tax Day celebrations in New Delhi on 24 July 2026, outlined the '5Rs of Responsive Tax Governance' – Recognise, Respond, Redress, Reflect and Reform.
India hosts BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction; Joint Statement adopted
Under India's BRICS Chairship 2026, the NDMA hosted the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in New Delhi on 24 July 2026, chaired by MoS Home Nityanand Rai, which unanimously adopted the BRICS Joint Statement on DRR.
Bucharest University of Economic Studies confers Honorary Doctorate on President Murmu
The Bucharest University of Economic Studies conferred an Honorary Doctorate on President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony in Bucharest, Romania on 24 July 2026.
ODOP: 1,244 products identified across 773 districts
The Commerce Ministry told Parliament on 24 July 2026 that 1,244 products have been identified across 773 districts under DPIIT's One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.
Thu, 23 Jul 2026
President Murmu in Romania – first State Visit by an Indian President in nearly three decades
President Droupadi Murmu reached Bucharest on 23 July 2026 on the last leg of her State Visits to Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania, and held talks with Romanian President Nicușor Dan at Cotroceni Palace – the first State Visit by an Indian President to Romania in nearly three decades.
US final Section 301 measures: India placed in lower tariff tier at 10%
The US Trade Representative on 23 July 2026 announced final measures under Section 301 of the US Trade Act, 1974, following its forced-labour investigation of 60 economies, placing India in the lower tier with an additional 10% ad valorem duty, down from the 12.5% proposed on 2 June 2026.
India and Israel conclude second round of FTA negotiations in New Delhi
India and Israel concluded the second round of negotiations for the proposed India–Israel Free Trade Agreement, held from 20 to 23 July 2026 at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi.
India concludes its Eighth Trade Policy Review at the WTO
India's Eighth Trade Policy Review (TPR) at the World Trade Organization in Geneva concluded on 23 July 2026, with 68 WTO Members participating; the Indian delegation was led by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal.
PM announces fast-track courts for paper leak cases
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on 23 July 2026 that the government has decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks.
Birth anniversaries of Lokmanya Tilak and Chandra Shekhar Azad observed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandra Shekhar Azad on their birth anniversaries on 23 July 2026.
Wed, 22 Jul 2026
Coal Ministry releases 'AAROH', India's first report on scientific mine closure
The Ministry of Coal released 'AAROH – Annual Report on Mine Closure', India's first comprehensive documentation of scientific mine closure and repurposing practices, in New Delhi on 22 July 2026, and signed an implementation agreement with Germany's GIZ on 'to-be closed mines'.
President Murmu unveils Mahatma Gandhi bust in Skopje, North Macedonia
President Droupadi Murmu and North Macedonia's President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Museum of the City of Skopje on 22 July 2026.
NBA releases ₹6.67 crore under Access and Benefit Sharing to 11 cotton-growing States
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) announced on 22 July 2026 that it has released ₹6.67 crore under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism to 11 cotton-growing States for biodiversity conservation and livelihood support.