Prelims Current Affairs includes National Broadcasting Day 2026, Nhai Launches Digital Local Pass And Margmitra Help Centre, Indian Railways Becomes World’s Second-Most Electrified Network, Killai Becomes Tamil Nadu’s First Climate-Resilient Village, India’s First Ai-Powered Bird Sanctuary Coming To Maharashtra, Mission Golden Spice, Finnie: Mascot Of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Ajit Doval Selected For Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 & Anurag Jain Appointed Ceo Of Niti Aayog

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. NATIONAL BROADCASTING DAY 2026

Current Context: National Broadcasting Day is observed every year on 23 July to commemorate India’s first official radio broadcast.

ABOUT NATIONAL BROADCASTING DAY

• Purpose: To celebrate the evolution of broadcasting in India and recognize its role in information dissemination, education, entertainment, and nation-building.

HISTORY OF BROADCASTING IN INDIA

• 1927: Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) started the first radio broadcast from Bombay on 23 July.
• 1927: Second radio station established in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on 26 August.
• 1930: Broadcasting services taken over by the Government of India and renamed Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS).
• 1936: ISBS renamed All India Radio (AIR).

INFRASTRUCTURE

2. NHAI LAUNCHES DIGITAL LOCAL PASS AND MARGMITRA HELP CENTRE

Current Context: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched the Digital Local Pass facility and Margmitra Help Centres at selected toll plazas to enhance commuter convenience, improve toll operations, and strengthen user support on National Highways.

ABOUT DIGITAL LOCAL PASS

• Purpose: Provide a seamless and paperless toll pass for residents living near toll plazas.
• Platform: Available through the Rajmarg Yatra App and NHAI’s digital toll ecosystem.

KEY FEATURES OF DIGITAL LOCAL PASS

• Fully digital and paperless issuance and renewal.
• Linked to the vehicle’s FASTag.
• Eligibility:Residents within 20 km of a toll plaza.

INFRASTRUCTURE

3. INDIAN RAILWAYS BECOMES WORLD’S SECOND-MOST ELECTRIFIED NETWORK

Current Context: Indian Railways has become the world’s second-most electrified railway network, with over 99% of its Broad Gauge (BG) network electrified.

ABOUT RAILWAY ELECTRIFICATION

• This achievement marks a major milestone in India’s efforts to build a greener, energy-efficient, and sustainable railway system.
• Objective: Achieve 100% Broad Gauge electrification and Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2030.
• Indian Railways Rank:2nd globally (after Switzerland – 100%)
• Electrification:6% of broad-gauge network
• Route Electrified (2014-2026):48,072 km
• Route Electrified (Before 2014):21,801 km
• Global Comparison:

About INDIAN RAILWAYS

• Established: 16 April 1853 (first passenger train).
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Rail Gauge Dominance: Broad Gauge (1,676 mm).

ENVIRONMENT

4. KILLAI BECOMES TAMIL NADU’S FIRST CLIMATE-RESILIENT VILLAGE

Current Context: Killai village in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, has been declared the State’s first Climate-Resilient Village under a community-based climate adaptation initiative.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

• Aim: Strengthening resilience against climate change and coastal hazards.
• Situated near the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest along the Bay of Bengal.
• The village is highly vulnerable to cyclones, coastal erosion, flooding, sea-level rise, and saline water intrusion.

WHAT IS A CLIMATE-RESILIENT VILLAGE?

• A village that is equipped to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the impacts of climate change.
• Integrates climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable livelihoods, ecosystem conservation, and disaster preparedness.
• Promotes community participation in climate adaptation and natural resource management.
• Programme Launched:2022-23

ENVIRONMENT

5. INDIA’S FIRST AI-POWERED BIRD SANCTUARY COMING TO MAHARASHTRA

Current Context: Maharashtra has approved India’s first AI-powered Bird Sanctuary at the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS) under the Bhandup Eco-Nature Park Project.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

• Objective: Combine AI-based wildlife conservation with eco-tourism and environmental education.

KEY FEATURES

• India’s first AI-powered Bird Detection and Monitoring Centre.
• AI-enabled real-time identification and tracking of resident and migratory birds.
• Automated monitoring of bird movement, habitat use, and population trends.

About Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary:

• Declared:2015-16
• First flamingo sanctuary in India
• Located along Central Asian Flyway (important migratory route)
• Home to: Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Herons, Egrets, Kingfishers, Shorebirds

SCHEMES/PROGRAMMES

6. MISSION GOLDEN SPICE

Current Context: Union Minister for MDoNER launched Mission Golden Spice for Lakadong Turmeric value-chain development in Meghalaya.

ABOUT MISSION GOLDEN SPICE

OBJECTIVES

• Develop a farm-to-global-market value chain for Lakadong turmeric.
• Promote processing, packaging, and export of premium turmeric.
• Increase global recognition of Meghalaya’s GI-tagged Lakadong turmeric.
• About Lakadong Turmeric:
• Cultivated in:Lakadong area, Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya
• Curcumin Content:7 to 12% (higher than normal)
• GI Tag:2024
• Grown organicallywithout fertilisers
• Benefits:Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective

SPORTS 

7. FINNIE: MASCOT OF GLASGOW 2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Current Context: Finnie introduced as official mascot of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

ABOUT FINNIE

• Inspired by:Scotland’s national animal – the Unicorn
• Named after:Finnieston Crane (iconic Glasgow landmark)
• Significance:Blends Scottish folklore, local heritage, and modern creativity

AWARDS & HONOURS

8. AJIT DOVAL SELECTED FOR LOKMANYA TILAK NATIONAL AWARD 2026

Current Context: National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval has been selected for the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 in recognition of his exceptional contribution to India’s national security and strategic affairs.

ABOUT THE AWARD

• Instituted By: Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust in 1983.
• Venue: Pune, Maharashtra.
• Purpose: To honour individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the progress, development, and service of the nation.

APPOINTMENTS

9. ANURAG JAIN APPOINTED CEO OF NITI AAYOG

Current Context: Anurag Jain appointed as CEO of NITI Aayog on 22 July 2026.

ABOUT ANURAG JAIN

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Anurag Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog for a two-year term.
• He succeeds the interim arrangement after the completion of V.R. Subrahmanyam’s tenure as CEO.
• Former Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

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