20 July 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

E-Commerce Council of India (ECCI)

Why in News?

• The Internet and Mobile Association of India has launched the E-Commerce Council of India, described as the country's first national platform designed to unify India's US$120 billion digital commerce ecosystem.

About the ECCI

• The E-Commerce Council of India is a first-of-its-kind national platform created specifically to strengthen India's digital commerce ecosystem.

• It seeks to enable structured collaboration among industry participants, government authorities and other important stakeholders.

• The Council has been established by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).

Objectives of the Council

• Build a stronger and more integrated digital commerce ecosystem in India.

• Create deeper cooperation between the e-commerce industry and the government.

• Advance policy advocacy supported by evidence-based studies and research.

• Encourage innovation, consumer confidence and sustainable expansion of e-commerce.

Stakeholders Brought Together by ECCI

• Policymakers

• E-commerce marketplaces

• Brands and retailers

• Logistics service providers

• Technology companies

• Payment solution providers

• Startups

• Exporters

• Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

• Industry specialists

• Academic institutions

Key Areas of Work

• The Council will undertake policy advocacy, research and industry engagement across the following fields:

– Product and service e-commerce

– Cross-border commerce

– Logistics and supply-chain systems

– Mobility

– Travel technology

– MSME enablement

– Digital payments

– Consumer trust

– Artificial Intelligence

Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI)

• IAMAI is a not-for-profit industry association that was established in 2004.

• It is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

• It functions as India's leading representative organisation for the digital services industry.

Membership of IAMAI

• IAMAI has a membership base of more than 500 organisations, including:

– Indian companies

– Multinational corporations

– Startups

Objectives of IAMAI

• Promote the expansion of the internet sector and the wider digital economy.

• Represent the interests of the digital industry before the government, investors, consumers and other stakeholders.

• Support free and fair competition in digital markets.

• Advocate progressive and enabling public policies that benefit both businesses and consumers.

Sectors Represented by IAMAI

• Digital commerce

• Digital advertising

• Digital entertainment

• TravelTech

• Online gaming

• Digital payments

• FinTech

• EdTech

• HealthTech

• AgriTech

• Big Data

• Machine Learning

• Artificial Intelligence

• Internet of Things

• Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

• LogisticsTech

Major Activities of IAMAI

• Public-policy engagement and industry advocacy.

• Organisation of business-to-business conferences.

• Conducting and publishing industry research.

• Supporting and promoting startups.

• Strengthening consumer trust, safety and confidence in digital services.

Why ECCI is Significant

• Creates a common platform for India's fast-expanding digital commerce industry.

• Enables closer coordination among government, industry and academic institutions.

• Contributes to policy development for a resilient and well-governed digital economy.

• Expands the participation of MSMEs in digital commerce.

• Encourages innovation, international trade and consumer confidence.

Prelims Snapshot

• ECCI was launched by IAMAI.

• Purpose: unify and strengthen India's digital commerce ecosystem.

• IAMAI: not-for-profit body, established in 2004 and registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

Malvan – Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC)

Why in News?

• The Indian Navy is preparing to commission Malvan, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft.

About Malvan

• Malvan is the second vessel in the Mahe-class series of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts.

• The ship has been designed and built indigenously by Cochin Shipyard Limited.

• Its name is derived from Malvan, the historic coastal town in Maharashtra.

• The name also honours the legacy of the former INS Malwan, a minesweeper of the Indian Navy that remained operational until 2003.

Key Specifications and Equipment

Displacement

Around 1,100 tonnes

Propulsion

Waterjet propulsion for improved manoeuvrability in shallow coastal waters

Class

Mahe-class ASW-SWC; second ship of the class

Builder

Cochin Shipyard Limited

• The vessel is equipped with torpedoes.

• It carries multi-functional anti-submarine rockets.

• It is fitted with advanced weapon systems intended for anti-submarine operations.

Sensors

• Advanced radar systems for surveillance and operational awareness.

• Modern sonar systems to detect and monitor underwater threats.

Operational Roles

• Conducting underwater surveillance.

• Carrying out anti-submarine warfare in shallow coastal waters.

• Supporting Low Intensity Maritime Operations.

• Undertaking mine-warfare missions.

Indigenous Content and Importance

• More than 80% of the ship consists of indigenous content.

• It marks an important achievement in India's domestic warship-construction programme.

• The vessel advances the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and strengthens national self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

VISHWAS 2026

Why in News?

• The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation has introduced VISHWAS 2026 to enable amicable settlement of disputes concerning damages and penalties imposed under the EPF law.

What is VISHWAS 2026?

• It is a one-time dispute-resolution scheme launched by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

• The scheme is intended to settle disputes connected with the imposition of damages and penalties in an amicable manner.

• It gives employers a chance to resolve eligible matters through a transparent, fully digital and time-bound process.

Objectives

• Encourage employers to comply voluntarily with EPF requirements.

• Bring down litigation involving damages and penalties.

• Resolve disputes that have remained pending for a long period.

• Protect employee interests by improving the level of employer compliance.

Duration

• The scheme came into effect on 29 June 2026.

• It will remain operational for six months from the date on which it was notified.

Cases Eligible under the Scheme

1. Cases pending before judicial forums: matters in which orders imposing damages or penalties have been challenged before a judicial authority.

2. Final orders where recovery remains pending: this includes cases in which recovery is yet to be made, has been completed only partly, or Recovery Certificate proceedings are still pending.

3. Cases where notices have already been issued: matters in which a notice has been served but the final order imposing damages or penalties has not yet been passed.

4. Cases where notices have not yet been issued: matters in which proceedings have not begun and notices regarding damages or penalties are still to be served.

Cases Excluded

• Matters in which damages or penalties have already been recovered in full.

• Cases involving fraud.

• Cases involving misappropriation.

• Cases involving intentional falsification of records.

• Cases in which the applicable statutory interest has not been deposited completely.

Application Process

• Eligible employers may file their applications through the EPFO Employer Portal.

• Applications can be authenticated through either a Digital Signature Certificate or e-Sign.

• Every applicant must submit an undertaking confirming that no further appeal will be pursued in relation to the dispute settled through the scheme.

Benefits for Employers

• Allows employers to settle legacy EPF disputes at considerably reduced rates for historical defaults committed before 14 June 2024.

• This benefit is available only after payment of the statutory interest and fulfilment of all prescribed conditions.

• Provides an opportunity to regularise older EPF-compliance issues at a substantially lower financial cost.

Benefits for Employees

• Supports faster resolution of EPF disputes that have remained unresolved for long periods.

• Encourages stronger compliance by employers.

• Helps protect employees' provident-fund interests.

Remember

• VISHWAS 2026 is a one-time EPFO dispute-settlement scheme.

• Effective from 29 June 2026 for six months.

• Applications are digital through the EPFO Employer Portal.

Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell

Why in News?

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered train on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana. The train uses Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell technology.

What is a PEM Fuel Cell?

• A Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell is also known as a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell.

• It is an electrochemical device that converts the chemical energy stored in hydrogen and oxygen directly into electricity through oxidation-reduction reactions.

• The process generates electricity, water and heat. Since water is the principal by-product, the technology is considered a clean-energy option.

Main Components

• Anode

• Cathode

• Proton-conducting polymer membrane

• Catalyst, generally platinum-based

How Does It Work?

1. Hydrogen oxidation at the anode

– Hydrogen gas is supplied to the anode.

– At the anode, hydrogen molecules separate into positively charged protons (H+) and electrons (e-).

2. Generation of electricity

– The protons travel through the proton-exchange membrane.

– The membrane blocks the electrons. Therefore, the electrons move through an external electrical circuit, and this flow produces electricity.

3. Formation of water at the cathode

– At the cathode, oxygen reacts with the protons that have crossed the membrane and the electrons returning through the external circuit.

– The final reaction produces water and heat.

Key Features

• Continuous fuel requirement: a steady supply of hydrogen and oxygen is necessary for uninterrupted generation of electricity.

• Unlike a battery, a PEM fuel cell does not store electricity; it continues generating power for as long as fuel remains available.

• Compact and efficient: it provides high power density within a comparatively compact system.

• It is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

• Low maintenance: the system operates on hydrogen, can be refuelled rapidly and generally needs less maintenance than conventional diesel-based backup systems.

• Clean operation: it produces no tailpipe emissions, with water serving as the main by-product.

• Its use can help lower greenhouse-gas emissions and reduce air pollution.

Applications

• Rail transport: hydrogen-powered trains can use PEM fuel cells as a cleaner alternative to diesel locomotives.

• Telecom towers: the technology can provide dependable backup electricity during grid failure and replace diesel generators with a cleaner option.

• Portable equipment: PEM fuel cells may be used in laptops, mobile phones, battery chargers and unmanned aerial vehicles.

• Backup power: the technology can ensure uninterrupted electricity for hospitals, data centres, critical infrastructure and industrial establishments.

Advantages

• No harmful emissions are released at the point of use.

• Offers high energy efficiency.

• Refuelling is faster than charging conventional batteries.

• Operates quietly.

• Suitable for long-duration and heavy-duty applications.

Significance for India

• Supports India's movement towards a green-hydrogen-based economy.

• Reduces reliance on fossil fuels.

• Promotes clean mobility and more sustainable transport systems.

• Contributes to India's Net Zero commitments and the goals of the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

• Improves energy security through the adoption of cleaner fuel technologies.

Process in One Line

• Hydrogen splits at the anode -> protons cross the membrane -> electrons flow through an external circuit -> oxygen combines with both at the cathode -> water and heat are produced.