17 July 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

1. Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect Programme (VBYCP)

Why in News: The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports will organise the Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect Programme across the country.

What is VBYCP?

VBYCP is a nationwide youth-engagement initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. It connects young citizens with the vision of Viksit Bharat while creating awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.

Key Facts

• Duration: 16 July to 15 August 2026.

• Coverage: Universities and colleges across India.

• Theme: “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat.”

• Target group: Youth aged 15–25 years from rural, urban and tribal communities.

• Digital platform: Registrations and programme-related activities will be conducted through the MY Bharat Portal.

Objectives

• Connect young citizens with the national vision of a developed India.

• Create awareness about the harmful effects of substance abuse.

• Empower youth to become ambassadors of a healthy, responsible and drug-free India.

• Combine civic participation with anti-drug awareness.

How will students participate?

• Interactive sessions, presentations and awareness campaigns.

• Digital engagement through the MY Bharat Platform.

• Participating institutions may establish MY Bharat Chapters for sustained youth engagement and future MY Bharat initiatives.

Who will lead the engagement?

Distinguished youth achievers will interact with students, including:

• State Champions of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD).

• Winners of the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament.

• NSS Awardees.

• National Youth Awardees.

• Other accomplished youth leaders.

Substance-Abuse Awareness Component

• Youth leaders will explain India’s development journey.

• They will show how substance abuse harms individual aspirations, social well-being and national development.

• A specially curated film will present the experiences of affected individuals, the impact on families, and the personal and social consequences of addiction.

• Participants will take the Nasha Mukt Bharat Pledge and commit themselves to healthy, drug-free lives and nation-building.

• Where feasible, “Recovery Warriors” will share their personal experiences in collaboration with NGOs and spiritual organisations.

• These testimonies will strengthen the anti-drug message and inspire participants.

Significance

• Expands youth participation in the Viksit Bharat vision.

• Strengthens the nationwide campaign against substance abuse.

• Promotes leadership, civic responsibility and social awareness among young people.

• Creates a long-term youth-engagement framework through MY Bharat Chapters.

• Supports nation-building by encouraging a healthy, responsible and drug-free youth population.

2. Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

Why in News: India achieved significant milestones at the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49) held in Geneva, Switzerland.

About CAC

• The Codex Alimentarius Commission is the international body responsible for setting food standards.

• It was jointly established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in May 1963.

• Headquarters: Rome, Italy.

Objectives

• Protect consumers’ health.

• Ensure fair practices in international food trade.

• Harmonise global food standards to facilitate safe and fair trade.

Membership

• Membership is open to FAO and WHO Member Nations and Associate Members interested in international food standards.

• Current membership: 188 Member Countries and one Member Organization, the European Union.

• Total Codex membership: 189.

• India became a member in 1964.

Governance Structure

The Codex system consists of:

• The Commission.

• The Executive Committee.

• The Codex Secretariat.

• Codex Subsidiary Bodies, including committees and task forces.

Meetings and Funding

• The Commission holds one regular session every year.

• The venue alternates between Geneva, Switzerland, and Rome, Italy.

• Its programme of work is financed through the regular budgets of the FAO and WHO.

• All activities require approval from the governing bodies of both parent organisations.

3. Intron

Why in News: Scientists have visually tracked an RNA intron moving from a predator to its prey, providing new evidence about horizontal gene transfer across species.

Basic Concept

• During transcription, a gene is copied into an immature RNA molecule called pre-messenger RNA or pre-mRNA.

• Pre-mRNA contains introns, which are non-coding sequences, and exons, which are protein-coding sequences.

How is Mature mRNA Formed?

1. A gene is transcribed into pre-mRNA.

2. Inside the cell nucleus, pre-mRNA undergoes RNA splicing.

3. Introns are removed and exons are joined together.

4. The resulting mature mRNA is translated into a protein.

Key Features of Introns

• Introns are also called intervening sequences.

• Their length differs across species and may also vary among genes within the same species.

• Mammals and flowering plants generally contain multiple introns, which are often longer than exons.

• Although introns do not code for proteins, they often carry regulatory sequences that influence gene expression, transcription and mRNA processing.

Significance

• Introns regulate gene activity and increase genetic diversity through alternative splicing.

• They contribute to genome evolution by supporting genetic recombination and regulatory innovation.

• The observed transfer of an RNA intron between species provides fresh evidence for horizontal gene transfer.

• The finding improves our understanding of genome evolution and the movement of genetic elements across species.

4. Greater Sand Plover

Why in News: A Greater Sand Plover was recently sighted at Chandu village, marking the fifth documented record of the species in the region.

Species Profile

• It is a small migratory shorebird, or wader, belonging to the plover family.

• Scientific name: Charadrius leschenaultii; it has recently been reclassified as Anarhynchus leschenaultii.

• IUCN Red List status: Least Concern (LC).

Distribution and Migration

Its wider distribution includes:

• Turkey and Jordan.

• Central Asia.

• Siberia.

• Mongolia.

• Northern China.

During winter, it migrates to the coasts of:

• Africa.

• The Middle East.

• The Indian subcontinent.

• Southern China.

• Japan.

• Southeast Asia.

• Australasia.

Habitat

• Breeding habitat: High-elevation, arid and open landscapes, often near water bodies.

• Wintering habitat: Coastal mudflats, estuaries and sandy shores.

Identification Features

• A medium-sized plover with a long, stout bill.

• Breeding adults have a dark facial mask and orange-buff colour on the chest, neck and forehead.

• Females are generally duller than males.

• Non-breeding adults and juveniles have sandy-brown upperparts, white underparts, a white throat and prominent white eyebrows.

• Unlike some Lesser Sand Plovers, the Greater Sand Plover never has a black border around the throat.

• A thin dark band is present above the white forehead.

Ecological Significance

• Acts as an indicator of the health of coastal wetland ecosystems.

• Maintains ecological balance by feeding on small invertebrates.

• Its migration highlights the need to conserve international flyways and coastal habitats.

5. National Investment Policy for Urea-2026 for Atmanirbhar Bharat (NIPU-2026)

Why in News: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved NIPU-2026.

About NIPU-2026

• It is a policy designed to encourage new investment in gas-based urea manufacturing units in India.

• It aims to strengthen domestic fertilizer production and reduce dependence on imported urea.

• Nodal department: Department of Fertilizers.

Objectives

• Encourage fresh investment in the urea sector.

• Increase indigenous production of urea.

• Move India towards self-sufficiency in urea production.

• Improve fertilizer security and support the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Key Features

1. Additional Production Capacity

• Covers the establishment of new gas-based urea manufacturing units.

• Expected to add 1 crore metric tonnes, or 10 million tonnes, of annual urea production capacity.

• Envisages setting up 8–9 new urea plants.

2. Transparent Cost Structure

• Fixed and variable costs will be treated separately.

• This will improve transparency and efficiency in the pricing mechanism.

3. Return on Equity (RoE)

• Investors will receive an RoE ranging from 12% to 16%.

• Minimum RoE: 12%; Maximum RoE: 16%.

4. Foreign-Exchange Protection

• The framework reduces foreign-exchange risk for investors.

• After four years, fixed costs will be converted into Indian Rupees using the prevailing exchange rate.

Significance

• Reduces India’s dependence on imported urea.

• Encourages investment in domestic fertilizer manufacturing.

• Improves long-term fertilizer availability for the agriculture sector.

• Strengthens pricing transparency and investor confidence.

• Supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision through greater self-reliance in fertilizer production.