UPSC Daily Current Affairs for 04 August 2026

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Context

Rajya Sabha has passed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

Major Highlights of the Bill

Settlement through TReDS mandatory for CPSEs: Every central public sector enterprise (CPSE) must settle all invoices for procurement of goods or services from MSMEs on the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS).

TReDS is an RBI-regulated electronic platform that enables MSMEs to raise funds from financiers against invoices due from buyers.

NOTTO Launches e-Pratyaropan Portal for Organ Transplantation

Context

The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has launched the e-Pratyaropan Portal along with the NOTTO mobile application to create a unified digital ecosystem for organ donation and transplantation in India.

About

Unlike the previous system, where hospitals largely maintained their own transplant databases, the new e-Pratyaropan portal creates a common digital platform connecting hospitals, state authorities and Notto.

Patients will continue to register for transplants through a hospital of their choice. Hospitals, state governments and Notto will have secure access to the portal, where transplant centres can upload recipient details directly.

Agrivoltaics: Powering AI Infrastructure Sustainably

Context

The proposed Google AI Data Centre in Visakhapatnam has brought the concept of agrivoltaics into focus as a sustainable solution to meet the rising energy demand of AI infrastructure.

Background

Google has announced a US$15 billion investment to establish a 1 GW Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Centre in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

AI data centres require enormous amounts of electricity to power servers, cooling systems and digital infrastructure.

Lab-grown Diamonds As a Sustainable Alternative to Mined Stones

Context

Lab-grown diamonds are emerging as a sustainable alternative to the mined stones.

About

Some of the world’s largest diamond mines, such as the Argyle mine in Australia and the Diavik mine in Canada, have reached a point of exhaustion in recent years.

This depletion has worsened year by year, and production is now at a multi-decade low.

India’s Tea Majors Face Rising Competition from Cheaper Alternatives

Context

Tea industry in India is a Rs 15 billion industry & India remains the world's second largest producer and consumer of tea which are facing rising competition from cheaper alternatives.

Why the Squeeze Is Happening?

Farm gate prices have simply not kept pace: Over the last decade, the cost of essential inputs, labour, fertiliser, energy, has climbed 9 to 15%, while tea prices have inched up by barely 4%.

GI Tags: Scaling Traditional Wealth into Global Brands

Context

Geographical Indication (GI) tags have emerged as a powerful tool for protecting India's cultural heritage while creating economic opportunities for local communities.

Geographical Indication (GI)

A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.

News In Short 04-08-2026

Context

Lok Sabha has passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026.

About

Aim: To further amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, for increasing the number of Judges of the Apex Court from the present 33 to 37 (excluding the Chief Justice of India).

Earlier this year, the President had promulgated an ordinance to increase the number of Supreme Court Judges from 33 to 37.