Current Affairs 23 July 2026

APEDA Enables Uttarakhand's Maiden Frozen French Fries Shipment to Iraq.

• APEDA facilitated Uttarakhand's first-ever export of 24 tonnes of frozen French fries to Iraq on 20 July 2026.
• The consignment was shipped from Kashipur, Udham Singh Nagar, by Virun Global Trade Pvt. Ltd.
• 2025–26 Exports:
• Processed vegetable exports: USD 932.25 million.
• Value-added potato products: USD 289.40 million.
• APEDA promoted exporters through global trade fairs such as SIAL, Gulfood, IndusFood, and World Food India.

Indian Banks Tap RBI Incentive Window to Raise $20.7 Billion.

• Indian banks mobilised $20.72 billion through the RBI's special incentive window (launched on 8 June 2026).
• FCNR(B) deposits contributed the largest share at $17.41 billion.
• SBI led foreign currency mobilisation with $1.9 billion.
• The scheme aims to boost foreign exchange reserves and support the Balance of Payments (BoP) through concessional swaps.
• FCNR(B): Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) fixed deposit account for NRIs, maintained in foreign currency.

Chhattisgarh Enacts Ease of Doing Business Act, 2026.

• Chhattisgarh became the first Indian state to enact the Ease of Doing Business Act, 2026, introducing a trust-based, risk-based business permission framework.
• Low-risk businesses can obtain approvals through self-certification and certified professionals.
• Introduces auto-approval if departments fail to act within the prescribed timeline.
• Covers 43 services across 8 state departments and reduces compliance burden for MSMEs.
• Chhattisgarh was formed on 1 November 2000; Capital: Raipur.

BWF Unveils "Peacko" as Official Mascot for 2026 World Championships.

• Peacko, inspired by the Indian Peafowl, was unveiled as the official mascot of the BWF World Championships 2026, along with the championship anthem.
• The 30th BWF World Championships will be held in New Delhi from 17–23 August 2026, returning to India after 17 years.
• Over 400 players from 50+ countries will participate.
• PV Sindhu is the only Indian to have won a BWF World Championships gold medal (2019).
• BWF was established in 1934 and is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

IIT Kanpur Launches Green Hydrogen Centre of Excellence.

• IIT Kanpur will establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Green Hydrogen under the Uttar Pradesh Green Hydrogen Policy 2024.
• The centre, named ECOGEN, will focus on green hydrogen generation, storage, utilisation, and ecosystem development.
• The project is sanctioned by UPNEDA (Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency).
• The CoE aims to reduce green hydrogen production costs and support net-zero pollution goals.
• Green Hydrogen is produced using renewable energy-based electrolysis and is a key part of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023).