Prelims Current Affairs includes Income Tax Day 2026, East Asia Summit (Eas), Nato Ankara Summit 2026, Us-Saudi 123 Agreement, Mission Vatsalya Scheme, India To Host International Type 1 Diabetes Summit 2026, Drdo Successfully Tests Long-Range Kusha Missile, Samudra Pradakshina & Himachal Pradesh Notifies Controlled Cannabis Farming Rules

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. INCOME TAX DAY 2026

Current Context: Income Tax Day is observed on 24 July.

ABOUT INCOME TAX DAY

• Income Tax Day (Aaykar Diwas) 2026 is observed on 24 July 2026, marking 166 years since the introduction of income tax in India on 24 July 1860 by Sir James Wilson, the first Finance Member of the Viceroy’s Council.
• Purpose: To commemorate the introduction of income tax in India and recognize the contribution of taxpayers and tax administrators to nation-building.
• The Income Tax Department has celebrated Income Tax Day every year since 2010.
• About CBDT:
• Full Form:Central Board of Direct Taxes
• Regulating Statute:Income-tax Act, 1961

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2. EAST ASIA SUMMIT (EAS)

Current Context: External Affairs Minister participated in the 21st East Asia Summit in Manila.

ABOUT EAST ASIA SUMMIT

• The East Asia Summit (EAS) continues to serve as the premier leaders-led forum for strategic, political, and economic dialogue in the Indo-Pacific.
• In 2026, EAS Foreign Ministers met in Manila, Philippines, where discussions focused on maritime security, the South China Sea, the Middle East crisis, Myanmar, cyber security, and regional stability.

OBJECTIVES

• Promote peace, stability, and prosperity in East Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
• Address regional and global security challenges.
• Promote an open, inclusive, transparent, and rules-based regional architecture.
• MEMBERS: The EAS has 18 participating countries:
• ASEAN Member States (10): Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam
• Dialogue Partners (8): Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Russia and United States
• Timor-Leste:Latest member (joined following ASEAN accession on 26 October 2025)

ABOUT EAST ASIA SUMMIT (EAS)

• Established:
• First Summit: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2005).
• 2026 Chair: Philippines (as ASEAN Chair).

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

3. NATO ANKARA SUMMIT 2026

Current Context: The 2026 NATO Summit, held in Ankara, Türkiye.

ABOUT THE SUMMIT

• The Summit concluded with major commitments to increase defence spending, strengthen support for Ukraine, enhance NATO’s defence industrial base, and reinforce collective deterrence in response to evolving global security challenges.
• Focus: Strengthening collective security, enhancing defence capabilities, and addressing regional and global security challenges.

KEY OUTCOMES

• 5% GDP Spending Commitment:All members to spend at least 5% of GDP on defence by 2035
• Unwavering Ukraine Support:Long-term military, financial, and strategic support
• Europe-Wide Defence Industrial Base:High-technology network across Europe
• Shift from crisis managementto rapid industrial production

ABOUT NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

• Established: 4 April 1949. Founding Treaty: North Atlantic Treaty (Washington Treaty).
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
• Current Members: 32.
• Secretary General: Mark Rutte (since October 2024).

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

4. US-SAUDI 123 AGREEMENT

Current Context: US and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark civilian nuclear cooperation pact.

ABOUT 123 AGREEMENT

• The agreement, popularly known as the “123 Agreement”, paving the way for cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy, technology transfer, and nuclear infrastructure development under strict non-proliferation safeguards.
• The 123 Agreement is a bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement signed under Section 123 of the United States Atomic Energy Act, 1954.
• It provides the legal framework for the peaceful transfer of nuclear materials, equipment, technology, and expertise from the United States to another country.
• No country can engage in significant civilian nuclear cooperation with the US without a 123 Agreement.

SCHEMES/PROGRAMMES

5. MISSION VATSALYA SCHEME

Current Context: The Minister of State for Women and Child Development recently informed Parliament about the implementation and progress of the Mission Vatsalya Scheme.

ABOUT MISSION VATSALYA SCHEME

• Launched: 2021-22.
• Nature: Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
• Umbrella Scheme: Replaced the Child Protection Services (CPS)
• Vision: To ensure that every child grows up in a safe, secure, healthy, and nurturing family environment.
• Beneficiaries:Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP), Children in Conflict with Law (CCL)

Objective:

• Care, protection, rehabilitation, and reintegration of children in difficult circumstances
• Includes missing and vulnerable children
• Statutory Framework:Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
• Section 55 of JJ Act, 2015:
• Provides for evaluation of functioning of Juvenile Justice Board, Child Welfare Committee, Special Juvenile Police Units, registered institutions

HEALTH

6. INDIA TO HOST INTERNATIONAL TYPE 1 DIABETES SUMMIT 2026

Current Context: International Type 1 Diabetes Summit 2026 will be held in Jodhpur, Rajasthan from 30 July to 1 August 2026.

ABOUT THE SUMMIT

• The summit will bring together global experts, policymakers, researchers, healthcare professionals, and patient advocacy groups to improve equitable access and quality care for people living
• Theme: Advancing equitable, affordable, and comprehensive care for people with Type 1 Diabetes.
• Organised by:The Friends of Mewar, Breakthrough T1D, William J. Clinton Foundation

About Type 1 Diabetes:

• Chronic autoimmune disease
• Pancreas produces little or no insulin
• Requires lifelong insulin therapy
• Different from Type 2 (autoimmune condition, not mainly linked to insulin resistance)

DEFENCE

7. DRDO SUCCESSFULLY TESTS LONG-RANGE KUSHA MISSILE

Current Context: The DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the indigenous Kusha Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM).

ABOUT PROJECT KUSHA

• Purpose: To provide indigenous long-range air defence against advanced aerial threats.
• Often described as India’s indigenous counterpart to advanced long-range air defence systems such as the S-400, though with different operational roles.
• Designed to intercept fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, drones (UAVs), AWACS, and other airborne threats.

DEFENCE

8. SAMUDRA PRADAKSHINA

Current Context: Raksha Mantri flagged-in ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, the first-ever Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition.

ABOUT SAMUDRA PRADAKSHINA

• Leadership:Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar (Leader), Squadron Leader Shraddha P. Raju (Deputy Leader)
• Vessel:Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni
• Flagged Off:11 September 2025 from Gateway of India, Mumbai.
  • Returned:22 July 2026
  • Duration:314 days
  • Distance:~25,500 nautical miles across four oceans
• Criteria Fulfilled:
• Crossed all meridians of longitude
• Crossed Equator twice
• Crossed International Date Line
• Rounded Three Great Capes: Cape Leeuwin (Australia), Cape Horn (South America), Cape of Good Hope (Africa)
• Special Honour:
• Earned membership of prestigious fraternity of Cape Horners
• Successfully passed through Drake Passage

HIMACHAL NEWS

9. HIMACHAL PRADESH NOTIFIES CONTROLLED CANNABIS FARMING RULES

Current Context: Himachal Pradesh Government notified the Himachal Pradesh Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Rules, 2026, paving the way for controlled cultivation of cannabis exclusively for medicinal and scientific purposes.

ABOUT THE AMENDMENT RULES

• Issued by:Secretary (State Taxes and Excise)
• Amends:Himachal Pradesh Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Rules, 1989
• Purpose:Establish comprehensive regulatory framework for cultivation, storage, transportation, processing, and manufacture of cannabis-based products
• Cultivation Permitted For:Medicinal and scientific purposes only

Key Conditions for Cultivation:

• Seeds:Only indigenous certified seeds from authorised suppliers with certificate of analysis specifying cannabinoid content
• Minimum Land:3 acres (geographically contiguous); exemption for government departments, research institutions, universities
• Cultivation Method:Only in enclosed and controlled environments (greenhouses/polyhouses) – open-field cultivation prohibited
• Security:Geo-tagged licensed sites, single entry/exit point, CCTV surveillance, secure locking systems, detailed visitor records
• Warehouse:Mandatory before commencement of harvesting

Licensing Framework:

• Seed Suppliers:Licence from Excise Collector for purchase, storage, and supply of cannabis seeds
• Transport Permits:Required for movement of cannabis produce
• Manufacturing Units:Separate licence required; minimum capital investment of ₹100 crore
• State Cess:3% on annual turnover (2% milk cess + 1% environment cess)

Prohibitions:

• Cultivation cannot be diverted for recreational or commercial use outside permitted framework
• Licensees cannot consume, sell, or transport cannabis except for approved medical/scientific purposes

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