01Economy·2 min read
Sensex, Nifty Fall as Brent Crude Nears $90 on Iran Tensions: India's Oil Import Risk
Sensex and Nifty declined on July 21, 2026 as Brent crude neared $90 a barrel amid US-Iran tensions and shipping-route threats, exposing India's exposure to imported oil price shocks. Relevant for UPSC, UPPSC, and state PSC aspirants in GS Paper 3 under Indian economy, inflation, and external sector.
- Sensex fell 238.41 points (0.31%) to 77,470.11 and Nifty 50 fell 50.80 points (0.21%) to 24,187.70 on July 21, 2026
- Brent crude neared $90/barrel amid US-Iran tensions and shipping-route threats
- Top losers: HDFC Bank (-2.07%), Cipla (~-2%), Infosys (-1.52%), Dr. Reddy's (-1.45%), Reliance (-1.41%)
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02Miscellaneous·2 min read
Vande Mataram Bill 2026: Prevention of Insults to National Honour Amendment Explained
Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha, extending the National Anthem's legal protection to the National Song, Vande Mataram. The move coincides with the 150th anniversary of its composition. Relevant for UPSC, UPPSC, and state PSC aspirants in GS Paper 1 under Indian History and National Symbols, and GS Paper 2 under Polity.
- Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 introduced by Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha on July 21, 2026
- Extends National Anthem-level legal protection to the National Song, Vande Mataram, under the 1971 Act
- Penalty: imprisonment up to three years, a fine, or both, for intentionally disrupting its singing
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03Polity & Governance·2 min read
Supreme Court Judges Bill 2026: Lok Sabha Clears Law Raising SC Strength to 37
Parliament took up the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 on July 21 to raise the apex court's sanctioned strength from 33 to 37 judges, replacing a May 16 ordinance. Relevant for UPSC, UPPSC, and state PSC aspirants in GS Paper 2 under Indian Polity and the Judiciary.
- Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 taken up in the Lok Sabha on July 21, 2026 for passing
- Raises the Supreme Court's sanctioned strength (excluding the CJI) from 33 to 37 judges
- Replaces the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, promulgated by the President on May 16, 2026
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04Science & Technology·2 min read
India Approves First Dengue Vaccine Qdenga: CDSCO Clears Takeda's Jab
India's drug regulator CDSCO approved Qdenga, Takeda's dengue vaccine, for ages 4 to 60 on July 21, 2026, marking the country's first approved dengue vaccine. Relevant for UPSC, UPPSC, and state PSC aspirants in GS Paper 3 under health, biotechnology, and vector-borne disease control.
- CDSCO approved Qdenga, Takeda's dengue vaccine, on July 21, 2026 — India's first approved dengue vaccine
- Approved for ages 4 to 60; given as two doses, three months apart
- Protects against all four dengue serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4)
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05Internal Security·2 min read
1996 Samleti Bus Blast Case: Supreme Court Sets Aside Death Penalty, Orders Fresh Trial
The Supreme Court on July 21, 2026 set aside the death sentence of Dr. Abdul Hameed in the 1996 Samleti bus bomb blast case, citing ineffective legal representation, and ordered a fast-tracked fresh trial. Relevant for UPSC, UPPSC, and state PSC aspirants in GS Paper 2 under fair trial rights and criminal justice reform.
- Supreme Court set aside the death sentence of Dr. Abdul Hameed in the 1996 Samleti bus bomb blast case on July 21, 2026
- 1996 blast: IED on an Agra–Bikaner bus near Samleti village, Rajasthan, killed 14 and injured 37
- Bench: Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Karol, and Sandeep Mehta; case Abdul Hameed v. State of Rajasthan
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