1 The government has approved the Reserve Bank of India’s proposal to introduce polymer banknotes in the denominations of Rs 10 and Rs 20.
The government has approved the Reserve Bank of India ‘s proposal to introduce polymer banknotes in ten and twenty rupee denominations . In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated that the Reserve Bank of India had submitted a proposal to the government to introduce one billion polymer banknotes in ten and twenty rupee denominations for field trials . He stated that polymer banknotes in these two denominations would be issued regularly only after the field trials are successful. He added that the Reserve Bank of India has stated that, according to international studies, polymer banknotes have a significantly longer lifespan than paper banknotes. Australia was the first country in the world to issue polymer banknotes in 1988. Subsequently, many countries adopted them.
2 PM-Ajay scheme to continue till 2026-31, financial outlay to increase
The central government has proposed to continue the Pradhan Mantri Shasthya Jati Abhyudaya Yojana (PM-AJAY), aimed at socio-economic empowerment of Scheduled Caste (SC) communities, from 2026-27 with an increased financial outlay for 2030-31 . The government stated that the scheme has so far seen significant improvements in infrastructure development, education, livelihoods, and access to basic amenities. Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale provided this information in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. The minister stated that the PM-AJAY scheme, launched in 2021-22, is being implemented through three major components —Adarsh Gram, Grant-in-Aid, and Hostel . As of 2025-26, ₹4,276.62 crore has been released to 30 states and union territories under the scheme. States and union territories have reported utilization of ₹3,185.072 crore. In the year 2025-26 alone, Rs 1,100.09 crore has been released.
3 India becomes the second largest supplier of seafarers in the world
India has emerged as the second largest supplier of seafarers in the world . India contributes over 311,000 maritime professionals to the global shipping industry. According to the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) , International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Seafarer Workforce Report 2026 , India now accounts for 12.16 percent of the global maritime workforce . India is behind only the Philippines . This has increased from 5.2 percent in 2015 to 12.16 percent in 2026. Indian officers constitute 13.41 percent of the global seafarer workforce. In 2015, India’s share of global seafarers was only 5.2% and it was ranked fifth after China, Philippines, Indonesia and Russia.
4 IIT Delhi develops Hindi version of Melodic Intonation Therapy
Researchers at IIT Delhi , in collaboration with AIIMS New Delhi and the Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences, have developed the first Hindi version of Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) for post-stroke aphasia . It is a music-based treatment that helps stroke survivors regain speech. IIT Delhi stated that while this therapy has been available in English and other Western languages for decades, there was no validated Hindi version until now. IIT Delhi explained that stroke is one of the leading causes of disability in India, and most stroke survivors experience speech difficulties. After a stroke, many people lose the ability to speak normally, a condition known as non-fluent aphasia .
5 Civil Aviation Ministry launches Hub and Spoke International Flight Operation Facility from Amritsar
The Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the Hub and Spoke international flight operations facility from Amritsar . This makes Amritsar the second airport in the country to join India’s inaugural Hub and Spoke framework for international passenger movement. This is the next step in the Government’s strategy to transform India into a global aviation hub, providing seamless international travel connectivity to passengers across the country through such airports in India. Earlier, India’s first Hub and Spoke operation was successfully launched in Varanasi on June 25, 2026 .
6 Uganda declared Ebola-free
Uganda has been officially declared Ebola-free , with no new cases reported since the last known patient recovered and was discharged from hospital in mid-June. The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, was first confirmed in Uganda when suspected cases crossed the border from neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) . According to Ugandan health officials, the first cases were Congolese nationals who had come to Uganda for Ebola treatment.
7 Paytm Payments Banks to be completely shut down
On July 28 , the RBI announced the complete closure of Paytm Payments Bank . According to the RBI, the Delhi High Court has ordered the complete closure of Paytm Payments Bank Limited . Additionally, the Delhi High Court has appointed Girikumar M. Nair , former Chief General Manager of SBI, as the official liquidator of Paytm Payments Bank . Nair will exercise all powers of the Paytm Payments Bank Board from July 8, 2026. The RBI stated in a statement that the Delhi High Court issued these directives in accordance with its order dated July 8, 2026, and its order dated July 22, 2026. In April 2026, the RBI had revoked Paytm Payments Bank’s banking license due to its continued non-compliance with regulations. At that time, the RBI stated that the bank’s operations were being conducted against the interests of depositors. With the cancellation of the license, the RBI made it clear that it would approach the Delhi High Court to seek winding up of the bank. However, the Paytm app, UPI and other digital payment services will continue to function as usual as they operate separately from Paytm Payments Bank.
8 Harjinder Kaur of India won silver medal in Commonwealth Games 2026
India’s Harjinder Kaur added another medal to the country’s medal tally by winning the silver medal in the women’s 69 kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games 2026. Harjinder lifted a total of 227 kg, including 101 kg in snatch and 126 kg in clean and jerk to win the medal. This is India’s seventh medal in weightlifting. Mirabai Chanu won the gold medal in the 49 kg category, while Rishikant Singh Chanambam, Raja Muthupandi, Valluri Ajay Babu, Gyaneshwari Yadav and Harjinder Kaur won the silver medals. Bindiya Rani Devi Sorokhaibam won the bronze medal.
9 Sonam Uttam Maskar and Himanshu Dhillon won bronze medals at the ISSF Shooting World Cup.
Sonam Uttam Maskar and Himanshu Dhillon won bronze medals at the ISSF Shooting World Cup in Hangzhou, China . They won the medal in the 10-meter air rifle mixed team event . India finished third in the medal tally with one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals .
10 Indian Football League 2026-27 to start from October 16
The 2026-27 Indian Football League will begin on October 16th . The All India Football Federation (IFL) met at Football House in New Delhi . Representatives from 10 of the IFL’s 11 clubs attended the meeting. Key decisions were discussed, including increasing playing time for Indian players and limiting a team’s starting lineup to a maximum of three foreign players.
11 World Hepatitis Day
World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on July 28th to raise awareness about viral hepatitis. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can lead to serious liver disease and liver cancer . This year’s theme is ” Hepatitis: Let’s Understand It ,” a call to action to remove barriers between people and life-saving services.
12 World Nature Conservation
In 1997 , the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared July 28th as World Nature Conservation Day . Its purpose is to emphasize the importance of nature conservation and sustainable development for the well-being of the planet.
13 Anatomist Dr. Gunter von Hagens dies
On July 27th , news of the death of renowned German anatomist Dr. Günter von Hagens arrived. This news was released by the Institute for Plastination . Dr. Günter von Hagens was the inventor of plastination technology . In 1977, Hagens invented plastination technology , which preserves human or animal tissues for a long time by replacing them with special polymers . In 1995, Hagens launched the Body Worlds (Körperwelten) exhibition , which displayed plastinated real human bodies and organs for training. After Hagens’s Body Worlds exhibition, millions of people around the world had the opportunity to learn about human anatomy. Von Hagens’ last wish was that his body be plastinated after his death. Von Hagens developed the technology for preserving bodies while working as a research scientist at the Institute of Pathology and Anatomy at Heidelberg University in 1977. The plastination process involves removing bodily fluids and soluble fats from a dead body and replacing them with resins, silicone rubber, and epoxies.