Prelims Current Affairs includes World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), India’s First Night Safari Gets Supreme Court Nod, India Commissions First Geothermal Wells In Puga Valley, Fifa World Cup 2026: Spain Defeats Argentina, 72nd National Film Awards 2026, Harjit Singh Grewal Appointed NCM Chairperson & Andy Burnham Confirmed As Uk Labour Leader

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

1. WORLD ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (WAICO)

Current Context: China proposed the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) during the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai.

ABOUT WAICO

• It aims to create a multilateral platform for global AI governance, cooperation, and capacity building.
• The proposal comes amid increasing global discussions on responsible AI development and governance.
• Type:Independent intergovernmental international organization
  First Proposed: July 2025 by China
  Commitment: Extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, people-centered approach
• India is alone among the five founding BRICS countries in its absence from WAICO

Founding Members (29):

• China, Russia, Pakistan, South Africa, Brazil, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Oman, Cuba, Venezuela, Belarus, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Algeria, Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Senegal, Zambia, Nicaragua

ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE

2. INDIA’S FIRST NIGHT SAFARI GETS SUPREME COURT NOD

Current Context: Supreme Court granted final approval for Kukrail Night Safari and Day Zoo project in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

ABOUT KUKRAIL NIGHT SAFARI

• Designed to showcase nocturnal and crepuscular wildlife.
• Theme-based wildlife zones inspired by habitats from India and abroad.

India’s first Night Safari.

• Expected to become the world’s fifth Night Safari, after similar facilities in: Singapore, Thailand, China, and Indonesia.

ENVIRONMENT

3. INDIA COMMISSIONS FIRST GEOTHERMAL WELLS IN PUGA VALLEY

• Current Context:India commissioned its first and deepest geothermal wells at Puga Valley, Ladakh, marking a major milestone in the country’s clean energy transition.
• Location: Puga Valley, Changthang region, Leh district, Ladakh.
• Implementing Agency: ONGC Energy Centre (OEC).
• Altitude: More than 14,000 feet (≈4,300 metres) above sea level.
• The project includes India’s first twin geothermal wells, each drilled to a depth of 1,000 metres.
• The wells will serve as the foundation for India’s first 1 MW demonstration-scale geothermal power plant.

WHAT IS GEOTHERMAL ENERGY?

• Geothermal energy is the heat energy stored beneath the Earth’s surface.
• It is harnessed by extracting hot water or steam from underground reservoirs to generate electricity or provide direct heating.
• Renewable and sustainable source of energy.

SPORTS

4. FIFA WORLD CUP 2026: SPAIN DEFEATS ARGENTINA

Current Context: Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 to win FIFA World Cup 2026.

ABOUT THE FINAL

• Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final played on 19 July 2026 at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.
• Substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, securing Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title
• Third Place:England
• Fourth Place:France

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 AWARDS

Individual Awards:

Key Highlights:

• Kylian Mbappé became the only player to win Golden Boot twice in a row
• Mbappé now holds record for all-time top goal-scorer at men’s FIFA World Cup (22 goals)

AWARDS & HONOURS

5. 72ND NATIONAL FILM AWARDS 2026

Current Context: The 72nd National Film Awards were announced on 18 July 2026 in New Delhi by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to honour the best Indian films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)

• Established:
• Administered By: National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Key Winners:

APOINTMENTS

6. HARJIT SINGH GREWAL APPOINTED NCM CHAIRPERSON

Current Context: Centre appointed Harjit Singh Grewal as Chairperson of National Commission for Minorities (NCM).

ABOUT NCM

• Type:Statutory body under Ministry of Minority Affairs
• Origin:Minorities Commission set up in 1978; became statutory under NCM Act, 1992
• Composition:Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Five Members
• Term:3 years

ABOUT NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITIES (NCM)

• Established: 17 May 1993.
• Statutory Basis: National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.
• Administrative Ministry: Ministry of Minority Affairs.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Minority Communities Notified:
  Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) – initially and Jains – added in 2014.

APPOINTMENTS

7. ANDY BURNHAM CONFIRMED AS UK LABOUR LEADER

Current Context: Andy Burnham was officially confirmed as the Leader of the UK Labour Party on 17 July 2026 at a Special Labour Party Conference in London.

• He was elected unopposed after securing the required nominations from Labour MPs, succeeding Keir Starmer.
• As Labour held a parliamentary majority, Burnham was set to become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom without a general election.

Key Facts:

• Andy Burnham would become the 59th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
• 7th British Prime Minister in 10 years
• Entered House of Commons: 2001
• Over 20 years of Labour politics experience

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