News of The Day –  24th July 2026

The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-1: Geography)

• Houthi ‘blockade’ threat against Saudi Arabia for  Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
• About Bab el-Mandeb Strait
  • Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Strategic importance: A major maritime chokepoint connecting the Indian Ocean with the Red Sea and the Suez Canal route.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• About PM-YASASVI (Prime Minister Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India)
• Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Target Groups: Students belonging to OBC, EBC and DNT communities.
• Objective: Educational empowerment through scholarships and support.
• Components: Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Top Class Education in Schools Scheme, and Top Class Education in Colleges Scheme

• About Corruption: Abuse of entrusted power for private gain.
• Causes: Lack of transparency, weak accountability, discretionary powers and regulatory gaps.
• Impact: It undermines good governance, economic growth, public trust and inclusive development.
• Safeguards Against Corruption
  • Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013
  • Central Vigilance Commission; CBI
  • RTI Act, 2005; social audit and e-governance.

• NATO’s Ankara Summit 2026
• About NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
  • Article 5, collective defence
  • NATO’s expansion
• Understand how NATO’s strategic priorities and developments in Europe and West Asia can affect India’s geopolitical and security environment.
• India-NATO relations and emerging global security architecture.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• Key highlights of the Nuclear Cooperation Deal.
• Nuclear cooperation in the context of West Asian geopolitics and energy security.
• Peaceful uses of nuclear energy, NPT, IAEA safeguards, nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear diplomacy.
• Implications for regional security, energy geopolitics and concerns regarding nuclear proliferation.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Cabinet okays National Investment Policy for Urea-2026
• Focuses on strengthening domestic urea production and reducing dependence on imports.
• Urea subsidy, fertiliser subsidy, Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS), soil health and balanced use of NPK fertilisers.
• Need to balance fertiliser affordability and food security with fiscal sustainability and sustainable agriculture.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• About Kusha
  • long-range air defence missile system.
• Developed by DRDO
• India’s layered air-defence architecture, missile technology and indigenous defence production.
• Strengthens India’s air-defence capabilities and strategic autonomy.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence, technology development and national security.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• About Borophene
  • A two-dimensional material made of boron atoms, analogous in some respects to graphene.
• Applications: Potential use in advanced lubrication and reduction of friction.
• Significance: Lower friction can reduce energy losses and improve efficiency.

(GS-3: Environment)

• About Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa) : A medicinal Himalayan herb facing conservation concerns.
• Cultivation can reduce pressure on wild populations while providing livelihood opportunities to mountain communities
• Community-based conservation and linking biodiversity protection with sustainable livelihoods.
• About Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division.