UPSC Daily Current Affairs for 23 July 2026

Building an Atmanirbhar Philanthropy Ecosystem

Context

India’s philanthropic landscape is undergoing a structural transformation as domestic private giving increasingly surpasses foreign philanthropic inflows.

Atmanirbhar Philanthropy Ecosystem

It refers to a system where social development is financed, governed and driven primarily by Indian citizens, businesses, entrepreneurs and institutions, while foreign philanthropy plays a complementary role.

Example: Azim Premji Foundation, Shiv Nadar Foundation etc.

Government Clarification on Designated Authority Under FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026

Context

Amid concerns raised by minority institutions against the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 (FCRA), the government said that the designated authority would retain the religious character of places of worship in all cases.

Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010

FCRA aims to regulate the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions to prohibit activities detrimental to the national interest.

First enacted in 1976, replaced in 2010, and further amended in 2016, 2018, and 2020.

Internet shutdown in India

In News

Mobile Internet services were temporarily suspended in parts of Central Delhi during the Chalo Sansad protest staged by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

What is an Internet shutdown?

It is defined as “an intentional disruption of Internet or electronic communications, rendering them inaccessible or effectively unusable, for a specific population or within a location, often to exert control over the flow of information.”

They take many forms, from full network disruptions to slowing down Internet speed (“throttling”) or blocking platforms.

Stable India-China ties will help build ‘multi-polar Asia’: EAM

Context

External Affairs Minister discusses India-China normalisation with his Chinese counterpart and joins Quad talks backing a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Major Highlights

EAM said that the Stable India-China relations will help foster a “multi-polar Asia” and a “multi-polar world”.

The Foreign Ministers of the Quad countries, Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S., met on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in the Philippines.

India using Too Many Powerful Antibiotics: Study

Context

As per a Study in the Lancet India may be using too many powerful ‘watch’ antibiotics.

Major Highlights

Global Scenario: Antibiotic use across 186 countries and territories, representing 99.8% of the world’s population.

They found that 72% of countries used more antibiotics overall than estimated to be necessary.

Plastic Currency in India

Context

Recently, Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Pvt. Ltd. (BRBNMPL) invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) for supplying polymer substrate sheets with embedded security features.

What are Polymer Banknotes?

These are made from biaxially orientated polypropylene (BOPP), not paper based on cotton.

Australia became the first country to introduce polymer currency in 1988, and today over 60 countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, use polymer notes either fully or partially.

News In Short 23-07-2026

In News

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is again under security threat after reports that Iran asked the Houthis to close the strategic waterway if the US attacks Iran.

Strait of Bab el-Mandeb

It is a narrow waterway that connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

It connects to the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea in the north and the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean to the east.