Prelims Current Affairs includes World Wide Web Day 2026, World Lung Cancer Day 2026, Samudra Manthan Scheme, Parliamentary Panel Recommends Polar Ambassador, Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana, Pm-Kisan Scheme Continued Till 2030-31, Environmental Performance Index (Epi) 2026, Varsha Ashok Aglawe Becomes First Woman Gsi Director General & Asmita Dey, Harsh Singh Win India’s First Commonwealth Judo Golds

IMPORTANT DAYS 

1. WORLD WIDE WEB DAY 2026

Current Context: World Wide Web Day is observed annually on 1 August to commemorate the invention of the World Wide Web (WWW) by Sir Tim Berners-Lee.

ABOUT WORLD WIDE WEB DAY

• Raises awareness about digital inclusion, open internet, and responsible use of web technologies.
• Note: World Wide Web Day is a widely observed international awareness day but is not an officially designated United Nations observance.
• Invention Year:1989

Evolution of the Web:

IMPORTANT DAYS 

2. WORLD LUNG CANCER DAY 2026

Current Context: World Lung Cancer Day is observed annually on 1 August to raise awareness about lung cancer, promote early detection and timely treatment, encourage tobacco control, and support patients and caregivers.

• First Observed:2012
• Theme 2026:“Together through Lung Cancer”

Initiated By:

• Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS)
• International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)
• American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST)

SCHEMES/PROGRAMMES 

3. SAMUDRA MANTHAN SCHEME

Current Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the Samudra Manthan Scheme with a total outlay of ₹84,084 crore to accelerate offshore oil and gas exploration, enhance domestic hydrocarbon production, and strengthen India’s energy security.

ABOUT SAMUDRA MANTHAN

• A flagship Central Sector Scheme aimed at expanding offshore exploration and production (E&P) of hydrocarbons.
• Seeks to unlock India’s untapped offshore oil and natural gas potential.
• Supports the Government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the energy sector.
• Encourages participation of both public and private sector companies in offshore exploration.
• Ministry:Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
• Duration:Until FY 2030-31

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

4. PARLIAMENTARY PANEL RECOMMENDS POLAR AMBASSADOR

Current Context: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs has recommended that India appoint a Polar Ambassador (Polar Representative) to coordinate the country’s strategic, scientific, environmental, and diplomatic engagement in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

ABOUT THE RECOMMENDATION

• A Polar Ambassador is a senior government representative responsible for coordinating a country’s activities in the Arctic and Antarctic.
• Several countries, including the United States, France, Norway, Finland, and Japan, have designated special envoys or ambassadors for polar affairs
• Committee Chairman:Shashi Tharoor
• Report:“India’s Role and Presence in the Arctic and Antarctic Regions”
• Purpose:Enhance India’s role in polar matters

INDIA’S ARCTIC POLICY (2022)

• Released by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in March 2022.
• India’s Antarctic Research Stations:
• India has been active in Antarctica since 1981.
• Dakshin Gangotri (First station 1984 now decommissioned).
• Maitri Station:Established 1989, Schirmacher Oasis
• Bharati Station:Established 2012, Princess Elisabeth Land

SCHEMES/PROGRAMMES

5. PRADHAN MANTRI SURYA SAROVAR YOJANA

Current Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) with a total outlay of ₹5,070 crore to promote floating solar power projects across India, aiming to expand renewable energy generation while optimally utilizing water bodies.

ABOUT PM-SSY

• A Central Sector Scheme to develop floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) power plants on reservoirs, lakes, ponds, dams, and other suitable water bodies.
• Aims to enhance India’s renewable energy capacity without competing for scarce land resources.
• Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FPV) systems are solar panels mounted on floating platforms placed on water bodies. Electricity generated is transmitted to the grid through underwater or floating cables.
• Target:5,000 MW Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) projects by 2030-31
• Implementing Agency:Solar Energy Corporation of India
• India’s floating solar potential: ~102.18 GWp (estimated by NISE)

Current Status:

• India’s installed floating solar capacity: ~700 MW
• Omkareshwar Floating Solar Park (Madhya Pradesh) accounts for major share

SCHEMES/PROGRAMMES

6. PM-KISAN SCHEME CONTINUED TILL 2030-31

Current Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31.

ABOUT PM-KISAN SCHEME

• Launched: 24 February 2019.
• Type: Central Sector Scheme.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• Financial Assistance: ₹6,000 per year per eligible landholding family
• Paid in three equal instalments of ₹2,000
• Money is transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts through DBT.
• 100% funding by the Central Government.

PM-KISAN Eligibility

• All landholding farmer families are eligible.
• The farmer family includes husband, wife, and minor children.
• The farmer must have cultivable land recorded in his/her name.

Not Eligible

• Institutional landholders and Income tax payers.
• Present or former MPs, MLAs, Ministers, Mayors, and Chairpersons of District Panchayats.
• Serving or retired Gazetted Government officers/employees (except Multi-Tasking Staff/Class IV/Group D employees).
• Pensioners receiving ₹10,000 or more per month (except MTS/Class IV/Group D pensioners).
• Professionals such as Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, and Architects.

REPORTS/INDICES

7.  ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE INDEX (EPI) 2026

Current Context: The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026 ranked India 176th out of 177 countries, highlighting significant challenges in environmental health, ecosystem vitality, and climate performance.

ABOUT EPI

• A biennial global index that evaluates the environmental performance of countries.
• Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy (YCELP), Yale University.
• Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University.
• Supported by:McCall MacBain Foundation
• Coverage:177 countries, 47 indicators across 12 issue categories

Top 10 Countries (EPI 2026):

India’s Performance:

• Rank:176 (second lowest)
• Score:46
• Regional Average:81

India’s Response:

• Previously (2022 EPI), India ranked 180 out of 180 – dismissed methodology as unsuitable

APPOINTMENTS

8. VARSHA ASHOK AGLAWE BECOMES FIRST WOMAN GSI DIRECTOR GENERAL

Current Context: Varsha Ashok Aglawe became the 54th Director General of Geological Survey of India on 31 July 2026. 54th Director General (first woman in 176-year history)

ABOUT GSI

• Established:1851
• Founder: Sir Thomas Oldham (first Superintendent).
• Headquarters:Kolkata
• Ministry:Ministry of Mines

SPORTS

9. ASMITA DEY, HARSH SINGH WIN INDIA’S FIRST COMMONWEALTH JUDO GOLDS

Current Context:  Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh created history by winning India’s first-ever gold medals in judo at the Commonwealth Games 2026, marking a landmark achievement for Indian judo.

They became the first Indian judokas to win gold medals in the history of the Commonwealth Games.

• Before 2026:India had 11 medals (5 silver, 6 bronze) – no gold
• Asmita Dey:
• Category:Women’s 48kg
• Defeated:Heidi Quach (Canada) 2-1 (golden score)
• Harsh Singh:
• Category:Men’s 60kg
• Defeated:Joshua Katz (Australia) 10-0 (waza-ari)

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