Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 31, 2026

Notes:
Kerala government launched the SAMPATH portal for centralized digital management of government assets. It serves as a unified digital registry for public land, buildings, roads, and machinery. The portal replaces fragmented physical records with standardized digital records. It aims to improve transparency, prevent unauthorised land transfers, and identify idle public assets. SAMPATH supports accurate asset valuation and facilitates auditing by internal audit units and the Accountant General.

Notes:
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane. CACP recommends the FRP after consulting states and industry stakeholders. FRP ensures a minimum price that sugar mills must pay sugarcane farmers. The government imposed nationwide sugar stockholding limits from 1 August–30 November 2026. Dealers face a 30-day holding limit, a 4,000-quintal stock ceiling, and weekly inventory reporting. The measures are implemented under the Essential Commodities Act and the Sugar (Control) Order, 2025. Average retail sugar price recently stood at ₹49 per kg.

Notes:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) reissued the draft notification for the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). The proposed ESA covers 56,825.7 sq. km across six states. Karnataka has the largest proposed ESA area (20,668 sq. km). It is followed by Maharashtra (17,340 sq. km), Kerala (9,993.7 sq. km), Tamil Nadu (6,914 sq. km), Goa (1,461 sq. km), and Gujarat (449 sq. km). The uneven distribution has led to varying concerns over conservation and development among the states.

Notes:
The ‘e-Upahaar’ portal is an online platform established for the transparent public auction of curated gifts and memorabilia received by the President of India. The third edition of the e-Upahaar auction was recently launched to auction around 300 selected presidential gifts. This initiative aims to ensure transparency in the disposal of state gifts while allowing citizens to own valuable collectibles. The funds generated through this public auction mechanism are directed toward social welfare and national developmental causes.

Notes:
QW-12 and FN-16 are Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) developed by China. They are shoulder-fired, short-range surface-to-air missile systems designed to destroy low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs. The systems use infrared or multi-mode homing seekers for target tracking. They recently came into the news following reports of their transfer to Iran through a Hong Kong-based intermediary. The development has raised concerns over regional security, missile proliferation, and export-control violations in the Middle East.