198 verified updates with instant GK Bytes — free PDF download for Bank, SSC, Railway, Punjab Police, RSSB LDC & state exams.
The July 2026 current affairs capsule collects the 198most exam-relevant news items of the month — polity, economy, international relations, government schemes, science & technology, defence, sports and awards — each summarised with a GK Byte that ties it to static general knowledge. Read it on this page or grab the free July 2026 current affairs PDF above for offline, exam-focused revision.
At the U15 & U20 Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 in Pattaya, Thailand (27 June–5 July), India won 41 medals — 20 in U20 (4G-7S-9B) and 21 in U15 (8G-6S-7B), including the U15 bronze team trophy. At Wimbledon 2026, Jannik Sinner reached his 10th Grand Slam semifinal and Novak Djokovic edged Felix Auger-Aliassime in five sets; defending champion Carlos Alcaraz missed the event with a wrist injury (final due 12 July).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on 8 July 2026 during a three-day state visit from 6 to 8 July 2026. He visited the site with President Prabowo Subianto and offered prayers at the Hindu temple dedicated to the Trimurti, namely Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma.
The 10th edition of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup was held 12 June – 5 July 2026 in England (12 teams, seven venues). In the final at Lord's, London, Australia beat England by 7 wickets, chasing 151 with 153/3 in 17.1 overs, for a record seventh title. ## Beth Mooney## (64*) was ##Player of the Final AND Player of the Tournament, ##becoming the first player to win two Player-of-the-Tournament awards in T20 World Cup history (2023 & 2026). ##India's Shree Charani## finished as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets — a record for most wickets by an Indian in a single edition.
Kamarajar Port Ltd (Tamil Nadu) completed its Capital Dredging Phase VI project (~₹440 crore), achieving an operational draft of 18.0 metres — making it India's second major port after Visakhapatnam capable of handling fully laden Capesize vessels up to 1,70,000 DWT. The outer channel was deepened to 23 m and the inner channel to 22 m. Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal linked the milestone to Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
The ##29th NCeG## was organised by DARPG and MeitY with the Government of Rajasthan at the Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur (1–2 July 2026), inaugurated by CM Bhajan Lal Sharma. T##heme: "Viksit Bharat 2047: AI-enabled, Data-driven & Secure Digital Governance"##. The National Awards for e-Governance 2026 were presented — 17 awards across 7 categories (10 Gold of ₹10 lakh each, 6 Silver of ₹5 lakh each, 1 Jury Award). The conference concluded with the adoption of the ##Jaipur Declaration on e-Governance 2026##.
The **Department of Posts (DoP)** and the **Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)** signed an MoU in New Delhi to conduct **India's largest village-level telecom network performance survey**, covering over **5.68 lakh villages** in one year. Over **1.40 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDSs)** will collect field data on the networks of Airtel, Jio, Vi and BSNL using a **TRAI-developed Android app**. The survey will identify mobile connectivity gaps and support evidence-based policy for rural telecom under Digital India.
Union Home Minister **Amit Shah** introduced the **Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026** in the **Rajya Sabha** on **20 July 2026**, the **first day of the Monsoon Session** of Parliament. **What it does:** The Bill amends the **Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971**, which currently criminalises acts of disrespect towards the **National Flag, the Constitution of India and the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana)**. The 2026 amendment **extends the same statutory protection to the National Song, 'Vande Mataram'**. **Penalty:** Under the existing Act, intentionally **preventing the singing of the National Anthem** or **causing a disturbance** to an assembly engaged in singing it is punishable with imprisonment of **up to three years**, or a fine, or both. The amendment makes the **same penalties applicable** to anyone who intentionally prevents or disturbs the singing of **Vande Mataram**. **Significance:** The Bill is introduced in the **150th anniversary year** of the composition of **Vande Mataram** by **Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay** in **1876**.
The **Department of Telecommunications (DoT)** notified the **Telecommunications (Authorisation for Telecommunication Network) Rules, 2026** (notification dated **20 July 2026**), barring **communication infrastructure providers** - cloud-based telecom networks, mobile towers, satellite gateways - from storing or sharing telecom data outside India. Every new authorised entity must ensure that **all telecom data, logs and information** are stored **within India**, with **no copies routed or shared abroad**. The move advances **data sovereignty** and marks a transition from the old licensing regime to a regulatory framework under the **Telecommunications Act, 2023**.
**Prime Minister Narendra Modi** constituted a **six-member high-powered task force** headed by **Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani** to recommend comprehensive reforms to India's **examination system**. The panel was formed in response to nationwide protests over exam paper leaks, particularly after the **NEET-UG (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test — Undergraduate) paper leak** controversy. Other members include **S. Somanath** (former ISRO Chairman), **Tapan Deka** (former Intelligence Bureau Director), **V. Kamakoti** (Director, IIT Madras), **Anita Karwal** (former Education Secretary) and **Amrit Lal Meena** (logistics expert, former Coal Secretary). The task force will suggest measures to make examinations **leak-proof, secure and technology-driven**.
Union Minister **Rajiv Ranjan Singh**, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (**MoPR**), launched the **Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme**, the **SAMARTH Panchayat Portal** and released the **Model Own Source of Revenue (OSR) Rules** at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. The initiative aims to strengthen the **financial autonomy**, digital governance and revenue-generation capacity of **Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)**, in line with **Viksit Bharat @2047**. The **Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme** helps Gram Panchayats and Block Panchayats identify local assets and convert them into sustainable, revenue-generating projects to strengthen their OSR. The **SAMARTH Panchayat Portal** is described as **India's first unified digital platform** for end-to-end management of Panchayat OSR. The **Model OSR Rules** give States and UTs an advisory framework to strengthen assessment, collection and management of Panchayat revenues, including property tax, user charges and fees.
The **Rajya Sabha** passed the **Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026** by a voice vote on **29 July 2026** (amid Opposition walkouts). The Bill amends the parent **Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971** to extend its penal provisions to acts of **intentional disrespect, obstruction or insult towards the national song ##Vande Mataram##** - placing it on the same legal footing as the national anthem **Jana Gana Mana**. It was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on **24 July 2026** as Bill No. LIX of 2026. Under the parent Act, offences are punishable with imprisonment up to **three years, or fine, or both**, and a **second/subsequent conviction carries a minimum of one year's imprisonment**. The Minister of State for Home said the amendment reflects the nation's collective commitment to its cultural heritage and the ideals of the freedom struggle. **Vande Mataram**, written by **Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay** in his 1882 novel **Anandamath**, was adopted as the **National Song** by the Constituent Assembly on **24 January 1950**.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on 8 July 2026 during a three-day state visit from 6 to 8 July 2026. He visited the site with President Prabowo Subianto and offered prayers at the Hindu temple dedicated to the Trimurti, namely Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma.
WB CM Suvendu Adhikari announced ₹313 crore special assistance under the## Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana##: ₹177 crore for education (Cha Shramik Shiksha Yojana), ₹72 crore for health (Swasthya Suraksha) and ₹63 crore for 321 resting sheds with off-grid solar power (Aashray Yojana). Nodal agency: North Bengal Development Department. PMCSPY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for tea workers in Assam and West Bengal (initial outlay ₹1,000 crore, extended until FY27).
Assam Finance Minister **Jayanta Malla Baruah** presented the State Budget for **FY 2026-27** with a total outlay of **₹2,85,084 crore** at Dispur. Highlights: a **₹77,353 crore** power-sector investment pipeline to make Assam power-surplus, a **₹3,000–4,000 crore** irrigation expansion, and **₹6,000+ crore** for flagship welfare schemes including **Orunodoi**, pensions and tea-garden welfare.
UP Chief Minister **Yogi Adityanath** renamed **Bhadarsa town in Ayodhya district** as **'Bharat Nagar'**, honouring Bharat, the younger brother of Lord Ram, and the town's link to the historic **Bharat Kund** site. The newly constituted Khiloni-Suchitaganj nagar panchayat in Ayodhya was also renamed **Maa Jwala Ji Nagar Panchayat**.
On **15 July 2026**, **Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA)** commenced scheduled **international operations**. **Air India Express** became the first airline to fly international from NMIA, launching a direct **Navi Mumbai-Abu Dhabi** service, initially twice weekly (Wednesdays and Fridays), rising to three weekly flights from 29 July 2026. NMIA already handles around **20,000 passengers daily**, targeting **50,000 daily movements** by year-end. With Abu Dhabi added, Air India Express operates **30 weekly flights** from NMIA.
On **15 July 2026**, the **Karnataka** Government announced the establishment of **India first government-driven Artificial Intelligence (AI) University** to promote advanced education, research and innovation in AI and emerging technologies. The move positions Karnataka — home to **Bengaluru**, India tech capital — to build an AI talent pipeline and research base, aligned with the national IndiaAI Mission.
In July 2026, **Andhra Pradesh** CM **N. Chandrababu Naidu** launched the **Pillale Sampada (Children are Wealth)** initiative during the World Population Day (11 July) programme in Vijayawada, to encourage **balanced population growth** amid declining fertility and ageing. Under the scheme, families receive **Rs 30,000** for a third child and **Rs 40,000** for a fourth child, alongside priorities on women education, maternal and child welfare and workplace childcare.
Sikkim Chief Minister **Prem Singh Tamang (Golay)** presented the state's **2026-27 Budget** in the Legislative Assembly on **20 July 2026**, with a gross outlay of **Rs 19,215 crore** (net **Rs 18,455 crore** after recoveries). Revenue expenditure is estimated at **Rs 11,733 crore** and capital expenditure at **Rs 5,896 crore**, with a focus on infrastructure, tourism, healthcare and social welfare.
The **Tamil Nadu** government renamed the **Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme** as the **Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme** via a government order issued on **15 July 2026** - the **birth anniversary of K. Kamaraj**. The scheme, earlier for Classes I-V, is being **expanded to middle-school students (Classes VI-VIII)** in government and aided schools, benefiting an additional ~**15.1 lakh students** at an estimated **Rs 343.55 crore**. The expanded programme is set to launch on **17 September**, the birth anniversary of social reformer **Periyar E. V. Ramasamy**.
**Maharashtra** became the **first state in India** to qualify for the release of the **second installment** under the **Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)**, after crossing the prescribed fund-utilisation benchmark. The decision came at a virtual review chaired by Union Agriculture Minister **Shivraj Singh Chouhan** (**Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare**). Maharashtra utilised **nearly Rs 260 crore** of the **Rs 335 crore** first installment — more than the **75% utilisation benchmark** — making it eligible for a second installment of another **Rs 335 crore**. **RKVY**, launched in **2007-08**, is a **Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)** with a **60:40 (Centre:State)** funding ratio (**90:10** for North-Eastern and Himalayan states, **100% central** for UTs), giving states flexibility to plan agriculture and allied-sector development.
In July 2026, **Maharashtra** became the **first state in India** to qualify for the release of the **second installment** under the **Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)** after meeting the prescribed fund utilisation benchmark set by the Centre. The decision was taken at a virtual review meeting chaired by Union Agriculture Minister **Shivraj Singh Chouhan**. The Centre had earlier released **Rs 335 crore** as the first installment; Maharashtra utilised nearly **Rs 260 crore** - exceeding the **75%** utilisation benchmark - making it eligible for a second installment of **Rs 335 crore**.
**Bank of Maharashtra (BoM)** launched **"FinSpark''26"**, a national-level cybersecurity hackathon under the theme **"Securing the Future of Banking"**, with the **Indian Banks' Association (IBA)**, the **Department of Financial Services (DFS)** and **COEP Technological University**. It offers a prize pool of over **₹10 lakh**; the top 20 teams present at the Grand Finale at COEP, Pune, and winners demonstrate at **Global FinTech Fest 2026**.
**India Post** recorded its **highest-ever first-quarter revenue of over ₹4,000 crore** (Q1 FY 2026-27), registering **22% year-on-year growth**, as announced by Union Communications Minister **Jyotiraditya M. Scindia**. The milestone reflects India Post's push into parcel, logistics and citizen-centric financial services.
On **15 July 2026**, the Union Cabinet chaired by PM **Narendra Modi** cleared **seven major decisions** with a combined outlay of **Rs 2,19,353 crore**. Key approvals: **Semicon 2.0** (outlay **Rs 1,27,500 crore**), the second phase of the India Semiconductor Mission; the **Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS)** with **Rs 62,500 crore** over 5 years; and the **National Investment Policy for Urea-2026 (NIPU-2026)** to boost indigenous urea capacity. Rail projects cleared include doubling of the **Paradeep-Haridaspur** line (Rs 2,542 crore) and a fourth line between **Dangoaposi-Rajkharsawan** (Rs 1,365 crore), plus a 6-lane Greenfield elevated corridor linking NH-19 and the Varanasi Ring Road (UP) on Hybrid Annuity Model.
The **Reserve Bank of India (RBI)** approved the appointment of **Rajiv Kumar** as the **part-time chairman of HDFC Bank** for a period of **three years**, effective **15 July 2026**. Earlier in July 2026, the RBI appointed **Ravi Shankar** as an Executive Director (effective 1 July 2026) to head the Department of Statistics and Information Management (DSIM).
The <b>Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I)</b> released trade data for <b>Q1 (April-June) of FY2026-27</b>. India's total exports in Q1 FY27 stood at <b>USD 232.73 billion</b> and total imports at <b>USD 270.15 billion</b>. Merchandise exports were <b>USD 129.32 billion</b> (up from USD 111.57 bn in Q1 FY26) and services exports were estimated at <b>USD 103.41 billion</b>. Merchandise imports stood at USD 216.18 billion and service imports at USD 53.97 billion.
The **National Statistics Office (NSO)** under **MoSPI** launched the **first trial Index of Services Production (ISP)**, India's first official **monthly** indicator of services-sector output, complementing the **Index of Industrial Production (IIP)**. It is India's first **high-frequency indicator** dedicated to measuring services output, tracking short-term changes in the volume of output of the **formal services** sector against a base year. The services sector is India's largest GDP contributor, providing **over 50%** of Gross Value Added (GVA) since 2013-14.
The **India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)**, along with the **Agreement on Social Security (Double Contribution Convention)**, came into force on **15 July 2026** — India's most ambitious bilateral trade pact to date. The **UK** scraps duties on **96.8% of tariff lines** (covering 97.7% of trade value) immediately; tariffs fall to zero on textiles, leather, marine products and engineering goods. **India** removes duties at once on **64.1% of tariff lines** and phases out another ~21%, while shielding sensitive sectors (dairy, cereals, edible oils, apples). It boosts services trade, professional mobility and social-security protection for Indian professionals.
The **Reserve Bank of India (RBI)** announced that India's **Financial Inclusion (FI) Index** rose to **70.0 in March 2026**, up from **67.0 in March 2025**, reflecting deeper access to formal financial services. The FI-Index captures three weighted parameters — **Access (35%)**, **Usage (45%)** and **Quality (20%)** — on a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 is complete exclusion and 100 is full inclusion.
Canada-based **Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited** emerged as the **preferred bidder** to acquire a **60.72% stake in IDBI Bank** in July 2026, a significant step in the government's long-pending strategic disinvestment of the lender. The **Government of India** and **Life Insurance Corporation (LIC)** together are divesting the 60.72% stake. Fairfax is led by India-born billionaire **Prem Watsa**.
The **Reserve Bank of India (RBI)** released the composite **Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index)** for **FY 2025-26**, which rose to **70 in March 2026** from **67 in March 2025**, indicating continued improvement in the depth and quality of financial inclusion in India. The **FI-Index** is a comprehensive single-value measure (on a scale of **0 to 100**, where 0 denotes complete financial exclusion and 100 full inclusion) capturing access, usage and quality of financial services across banking, investments, insurance, postal and pension sectors. **Prudential norms on SNFA:** The RBI also issued final **'Prudential Norms on Specified Non-Financial Asset (SNFA) acquired by Regulated Entities'** under the **Resolution of Stressed Assets Directions, 2025**, tightening the framework governing the resolution of distressed loans. The norms take effect from **1 October 2026**. Under the revised norms, **Regulated Entities (REs) are prohibited from selling or transferring SNFAs back to the defaulting borrower**, its **promoters, related parties, or entities acting on the borrower's behalf** — closing a route by which defaulters could reacquire assets surrendered in resolution.
The **Reserve Bank of India (RBI)** reported its composite **Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index)** rose to **70 in March 2026**, up from **67 in March 2025**. The RBI also issued final **Prudential Norms on Specified Non-Financial Assets (SNFA)** acquired by Regulated Entities, effective **1 October 2026**, barring Regulated Entities from selling an SNFA back to the defaulting borrower, its promoters or related parties — tightening resolution of distressed loans under the Resolution of Stressed Assets Directions, 2025.
The **Government of India (GoI)** approved the **Reserve Bank of India (RBI)** proposal to conduct **field trials of one billion polymer banknotes each** in the **Rs 10 and Rs 20 denominations**. The proposal, worth about **Rs 3,000 crore**, was sent by the RBI on the recommendation of its **Central Board** under **Section 25 of the RBI Act, 1934**, which deals with the design, form and material of banknotes. **Polymer (plastic) banknotes** are printed on a **non-fibrous, non-porous polymer substrate** instead of conventional cotton-based paper, making them more **durable, waterproof and harder to counterfeit**. The RBI will test the notes under different climatic and usage conditions for durability, security features and public acceptance; **regular issuance** will begin only after successful evaluation. The government clarified the polymer notes are an **additional option** and there is **no proposal to replace existing paper notes**.
The **Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)** announced it will use the **output Producer Price Index (PPI)** as a **deflator for quarterly and annual GDP estimates**, replacing the **Wholesale Price Index (WPI)** where applicable. The **PPI series** was released by the **Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)** in **June 2026**. A **GDP deflator** converts nominal GDP into real GDP by adjusting for price changes. The revised GDP series also updates the **base year to 2022-23** (from 2011-12) and adopts **double deflation** (separately adjusting output and input prices). In **June 2026**, **WPI inflation** was **9.87%** and **output PPI inflation** was **9.57%**. The new methodology takes effect with the **April–June 2026-27** GDP estimates, while **CPI** continues for specific granular items.
Union Commerce & Industry Minister **Piyush Goyal** announced the formation of a **Task Force** to support India's **toy sector**, targeting a **5% share of the global toy market by 2032**. It was announced at the **'Team Up for Toys'** stakeholder meet organised by the **Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)** in New Delhi. The task force will focus on **six areas**: integrating with global value chains, strengthening domestic manufacturing, addressing value-chain bottlenecks, skilling and employment, design and innovation, and ease of doing business. A **Toy Sector Playbook** was launched as a roadmap for manufacturers, startups and MSMEs. India's toy ecosystem includes **21,000+ MSMEs**, **770+ DPIIT-recognised startups**, **50 toy clusters** and **1,800+ BIS licensees**.
**Edelweiss Mutual Fund** launched the **Edelweiss Nifty REITs & Realty Index Fund**, **India's first REITs-oriented open-ended passive index fund**, tracking the **Nifty REITs & Realty Total Return Index (TRI)**. The index currently allocates about **60% to listed REITs** and **40% to listed real estate companies**. Under **SEBI** regulations, **Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)** were **reclassified as equity instruments from 1 January 2026** and became eligible for equity indices from **1 July 2026**. **REITs** pool investor money to own and operate income-generating real estate, giving small investors exposure to property markets. **InvITs** (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) remain **hybrid instruments** and cannot be combined with REITs in a single passive index fund.
The **Government of India (GoI)** approved the **Reserve Bank of India (RBI)** proposal to conduct field trials of **one billion polymer banknotes each** in the **Rs 10 and Rs 20 denominations**, a significant step towards evaluating more durable currency notes. Minister of State for Finance **Pankaj Chaudhary** informed Parliament that the proposal was approved under **Section 25 of the RBI Act, 1934**, following the recommendation of the RBI's Central Board, and that the trial notes are worth about **Rs 3,000 crore**. The RBI will conduct the trials under different **climatic and usage conditions** to evaluate durability, security features and public acceptance; regular issuance will begin only after successful evaluation. **Polymer notes** are printed on a **non-fibrous, non-porous polymer substrate** instead of conventional banknote paper. The government clarified that paper currency is **not** being phased out - polymer notes are being tested as an **additional option** and would circulate alongside existing paper notes.
In July 2026, the **Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)** announced plans to use the **output Producer Price Index (PPI)** as a **deflator** for quarterly and annual **GDP** estimates, replacing the **Wholesale Price Index (WPI)** wherever applicable. The PPI series was released by the **Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)** in **June 2026**. The revised GDP series has updated the base year to **2022-23** (from 2011-12) and adopted **double deflation**, which separately adjusts output and input prices. MoSPI plans to introduce the new PPI-based methodology with GDP estimates for the **April-June quarter of 2026-27**, while the CPI continues for specific granular items.
In July 2026, **Edelweiss Mutual Fund** launched the **Edelweiss Nifty REITs & Realty Index Fund**, described as **India's first REIT-oriented open-ended passive index fund**. It tracks the **Nifty REITs & Realty Total Return Index (TRI)**, which currently allocates about **60% to listed REITs** and **40% to listed real estate companies**. Under **SEBI** regulations, **Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)** were reclassified as **equity instruments from 1 January 2026** and became eligible for equity indices from **1 July 2026**. **InvITs** (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) remain hybrid instruments and cannot be combined with REITs in a single passive index fund.
The **Finance Ministry** approved the **Reserve Bank of India's (RBI)** proposal, under **Section 25 of the RBI Act, 1934**, to issue **100 crore (1 billion) pieces each of Rs 10 and Rs 20 polymer banknotes** - about **2 billion notes in total, worth roughly Rs 3,000 crore** - for **field trials**. The approval was conveyed to Parliament by **Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary**. The government clarified that **paper currency is NOT being phased out**; polymer notes will circulate alongside existing paper notes. **Polymer (plastic) banknotes** are more durable, harder to counterfeit and last significantly longer than paper. If trials succeed, the RBI will issue polymer notes in these denominations regularly.
The **International Monetary Fund (IMF)**, in its **July 2026 World Economic Outlook (WEO) Update**, lowered India's **real GDP growth forecast for FY2026-27 to 6.4%**, down from the **6.5%** projected in April 2026, citing elevated global energy prices and trade uncertainty. The IMF **raised India's FY28 forecast to 6.7%** (from 6.5%), describing the dip as transient. India **remains the world's fastest-growing major economy**, well ahead of China (**4.6%**) and the United States (**2.3%**). The IMF retained global growth at **3.0% for 2026** and **3.4% for 2027**. ##India's growth is powered by strong private consumption and a resilient services sector.##
Dilip Asbe, MD & CEO of NPCI, was appointed to the## Supervisory Board of SWIFT as the body transitions from a single-tier board to a two-tier governance structure (Supervisory Board + Management Board)##. The Supervisory Board will have 12 members (expandable to 15) — eight shareholder-affiliated and four independent directors — strengthening India's voice in global financial messaging.
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta announced an ₹8,300-crore programme with World Bank support to accelerate National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) goals in the capital.
On 7 July 2026, the government approved the pan-India roll-out of the **₹60,000-crore** ##PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs##) scheme across 200 ITI clusters, while clearing strategic investment plans worth ₹1,237.58 crore for ITI upgradation in Odisha (₹240.21 crore), Gujarat (₹240.18 crore) and Telangana (₹757.19 crore). The decision came at the 4th National Steering Committee meeting chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Anchor industry partners: Jindal Naveen Avasar Ltd (Odisha), ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (Gujarat) and Apollo Medskills (Telangana). PM-SETU modernises the ITI ecosystem through hub-and-spoke industry clusters, upgraded infrastructure and future-ready curricula, run through industry-government SPVs.
The **3rd edition of Bharat Tex**, India's largest global textile trade fair, is held from **14–17 July 2026** at **Bharat Mandapam (Pragati Maidan), New Delhi**, incorporating the **75th India International Garment Fair**. The expo features **1,600+ exhibitors** across **1.6 million sq ft**, buyers from **160 countries**, over **7,000 buyers** and about **1.3 lakh trade visitors**, plus 100+ knowledge sessions with 350+ speakers. It covers the complete textile value chain and is expected to facilitate nearly **4,000 B2B meetings** and **30+ MoUs**.
**Lakhanpur in Kathua district, Jammu & Kashmir** was selected among the first towns in India for a **Street Food Hub** under the **PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi)** initiative of MoHUA, announced by Union MoS (IC) **Dr. Jitendra Singh**. Each approved hub gets **₹4 crore** in three instalments (30%–50%–20%) plus a **₹25 lakh incentive** for ULBs with a notified Street Vending Plan. The initiative targets up to **50 hubs** nationwide with support from MoHUA, the Ministry of Tourism and FSSAI.
**Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)** under DoT, the Government of Gujarat, **Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL)** and BSNL signed an addendum for the **Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP)** in Gujarat under the State-led model, with a total outlay of **₹5,629 crore**. GFGNL will implement across **14,287 Gram Panchayats**, providing over **5 lakh rural home fibre connections** and extending connectivity to **3,895 villages** on demand.
The **Union Cabinet** approved the **Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS)** under **MeitY** with a budgetary outlay of **Rs 62,500 crore**. Approved under the Make in India initiative, it aims to strengthen domestic mobile-phone manufacturing, raise value addition, boost exports and improve India's global competitiveness in electronics. MPMS will run for **5 years** (FY2026-27 to FY2030-31) and succeeds the **PLI Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing (PLI-LSEM)**, which concluded on 31 March 2026. Eligible manufacturers get sales-linked incentives of **2.25% to 5%**, with an extra up to **1.5%** for higher domestic sourcing and an additional **3%** for Indian brands investing in design/R&D. Targets: **Rs 39 lakh crore** cumulative mobile production, **Rs 15 lakh crore** exports, and around **60,000 direct jobs**.
Union Minister **Ashwini Vaishnaw** (Ministry of Railways) implemented **8 more structural reforms** under the **'Reform Express'** initiative at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi, taking the total to **17**. The reforms are part of the Ministry's target of **52 reforms in 52 weeks** to boost efficiency, innovation and the railway ecosystem. The new reforms (Reform 10 to Reform 17) cover fly-ash transportation, the container sector, fertilizer and petroleum-products transportation, foodgrains/flour/pulses movement, construction reforms, wagon-design approval policy, and skilling of artisans in railway projects.
On **15 July 2026**, the Union Cabinet approved the **Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS)** under **MeitY**, with a **Rs 62,500 crore** outlay, under the **Make in India** initiative. It runs for **5 years (FY27-FY31)** and succeeds the **PLI-LSEM** scheme (Production Linked Incentive for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing), which concluded on 31 March 2026. Manufacturers get **sales-linked incentives of 2.25%-5%**, plus up to **1.5%** extra for higher domestic sourcing and an additional **3%** for Indian brands investing in design/R&D. Targets: **Rs 39 lakh crore** cumulative production, **Rs 15 lakh crore** exports and about **60,000 direct jobs**.
Union Minister **Ashwini Vaishnaw** implemented **8 more structural reforms** under the **Reform Express** initiative at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi, taking the total to **17**. The programme targets **52 reforms in 52 weeks**. The new reforms (Reforms 10-17) cover fly-ash transportation, the container sector, fertilizer transport, artisan skilling, construction methods, wagon-design approval, petroleum products, and foodgrains/flour/pulses transport, modernising **freight, logistics and ease of doing business**.
The **Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW)** granted **in-principle approval** for a **Greenfield Shipbuilding Cluster in Porbandar** and a **Ship Repair Facility at Vadinar**, both in **Gujarat**, under the **Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS)**. The cluster will come up on nearly **2,000 acres** at Kuchhadi (Porbandar) with an annual capacity of **1.2–1.5 million gross tonnage**. The **₹1,570-crore** Vadinar repair facility — jointly developed by **Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL)** and **Deendayal Port Authority (DPA)** — will handle vessels up to **300 metres** long. Both align with the **Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047**.
**NITI Aayog** launched the **'Roadmap for Building India as a Leading Bioeconomy Powerhouse by 2035'** in **July 2026** at the **National Media Centre, New Delhi**. It was formally released by **Dr. Jitendra Singh**, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, in the presence of **Prof. Gobardhan Das** (Member, NITI Aayog) and **Nidhi Chhibber** (CEO, NITI Aayog). **Developed by:** the **NITI Frontier Tech Hub (NITI-FTH)** in consultation with the **Department of Biotechnology (DBT)**, the **Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE)**, industry and academia. **Key targets:** Scale India's bioeconomy to **USD 691 billion by 2035** and **USD 2.6 trillion by 2047**; generate **over 30 million** high-value jobs; and place India among the **world's top 3 biotechnology powers**. India's bioeconomy was valued at about **USD 195.3 billion in 2025**. **Six National BioMissions** are recommended: **GeneIndia, AgriBio 2.0, BioX Foundry, One Health Grid, Marine Biotechnology and BioPharmaNext** — covering advanced therapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, synthetic biology, pandemic preparedness, marine biotech and next-generation biopharmaceuticals. **Key proposal:** a **Rs 50,000 crore BioEconomy Growth Fund** for **2026-2035**, carved out of the existing **Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI)** framework, to bridge the 'valley of death' between proof-of-concept research and commercial-scale manufacturing. **New institutions proposed:** an **Empowered Committee on National BioMissions**, a **National BioData Council**, a **BioEconomy Investment and Policy Forum**, and a **BioIP and Innovation Evaluation Agency**.
The **Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)**, under the **Ministry of Labour & Employment**, launched **'VISHWAS 2026'** in **July 2026** — a **one-time dispute resolution scheme** for the amicable settlement of **damages and penalty-related disputes**. **Legal basis:** The scheme covers disputes under **Section 14B of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952** and **Section 128 of the Code on Social Security, 2020**. **Notification:** VISHWAS 2026 was notified through **G.S.R. 525(E)** on **29 June 2026** under the **EPF Scheme, 2026**, and will remain operational for **six months** from the date of notification. **Coverage:** cases where penalty or damages orders are **under judicial challenge**; **final orders with pending or partial recovery**, including **Revenue Recovery Certificate (RRC)** cases; cases where **notices have been issued but final orders are pending**; and cases where **penalty/damages notices are yet to be issued**. **Implementation:** EPFO has set up dedicated **VISHWAS Cells** for smooth implementation of the scheme.
The **Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)**, under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, launched **VISHWAS 2026**, a one-time dispute-resolution scheme for amicable settlement of **damages and penalty-related disputes** under Section 14B of the EPF & MP Act, 1952 and Section 128 of the Code on Social Security, 2020. Notified via **G.S.R. 525(E) on 29 June 2026**, it stays operational for **six months**. EPFO has set up dedicated **VISHWAS Cells** for implementation.
The **Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA)** approved projects worth **Rs 2,719.80 crore** under the **Urban Challenge Fund (UCF)** for six initiatives in **Ahmedabad, Gujarat** — sewerage network rehabilitation (West and East Ahmedabad), an Intelligent Water Management System, a 125 TPD Integrated Sludge Management Facility, and an Intelligent Traffic Management plus Automatic Fare Collection System. Funding: **25% each** from the Centre and Gujarat (Rs 679.95 crore each), and **50%** via municipal bonds, loans or PPP.
The **Union Cabinet**, chaired by PM **Narendra Modi**, on **24 July 2026** approved the **Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan (BHAVYA - Rasayan)** scheme to establish **three dedicated Chemical Parks** with an outlay of **Rs 3,030 crore**. Of this, **Rs 3,000 crore** funds common infrastructure and basic utilities while **Rs 30 crore** is for administration. The scheme runs **five years, FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31**. The Centre gives a grant of **up to Rs 1,000 crore per park**, subject to a minimum **Rs 500 crore** contribution by the concerned State Government. Each park needs a minimum contiguous **8 sq km (about 2,000 acres)** of encumbrance-free land and offers ##plug-and-play## infrastructure. Each park could attract **Rs 20,000-50,000 crore** of downstream investment.
The **Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)**, chaired by PM Modi, on **24 July 2026** approved the **3rd and 4th lines of the Ballari-Guntakal section** spanning **Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh** at a cost of **Rs 1,264 crore**. The project adds about **46 km** to the rail network, covers **3 districts**, and improves connectivity to about **99 villages** (population ~7 lakh). It is expected to boost **freight capacity by 16.22 MTPA** (iron ore, coal), cut oil imports by ~**1.32 crore litres**, and lower CO2 emissions by ~**6.67 crore kg**. It is planned under the **PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan**.
Union Minister **Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh)**, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), launched the **Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme**, the **SAMARTH Panchayat Portal**, and released **Model Own Source of Revenue (OSR) Rules** in New Delhi. The initiatives aim to strengthen the **financial autonomy, digital governance and revenue-generation capacity** of **Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)**, in line with **Viksit Bharat @2047**. The **Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme** helps Gram and Block Panchayats convert local assets into revenue-generating projects; the **SAMARTH Portal** is India's **first unified digital platform** for end-to-end management of Panchayat OSR; and the **Model OSR Rules** give states an advisory framework to collect property tax, user charges and fees.
The **Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW)** permitted the manufacture and agricultural use of **Anhydrous Ammonia fertilizer** under **Clause 20A** of the **Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order, 1985**, for a **three-year period**. The fertilizer must have a **minimum nitrogen content of 82%**, making it a highly concentrated nitrogen source that can **reduce India's dependence on imported urea**. India produces nearly **300 lakh tonnes (LT) of urea annually** but imports about **100 LT** to meet demand. Separately, a **150 TPD Green Urea pilot plant** will be set up at **Pudimadaka, Andhra Pradesh** by **NETRA** (NTPC's research arm), integrating **Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCUS)** with water electrolysis.
In July 2026, Union Minister **Piyush Goyal**, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, announced the formation of a **Task Force** to support India's **toy sector**, targeting a **5% share of the global toy market by 2032**. The announcement came at the stakeholder meet **'Team Up for Toys'** organised by the **DPIIT**. The Task Force will focus on six areas - integrating the toy industry with global value chains, strengthening domestic manufacturing, addressing value-chain bottlenecks, skilling and employment, promoting design and innovation, and improving ease of doing business. A **Toy Sector Playbook** was also launched. India's toy ecosystem now includes **21,000+ MSMEs**, **770+ DPIIT-recognised startups**, **50 toy clusters** and **1,800+ BIS licensees**.
In July 2026, the **Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW)** permitted the manufacture and agricultural use of **Anhydrous Ammonia fertilizer** under **Clause 20A of the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985**, for a **three-year** period. The fertilizer, with a **minimum nitrogen content of 82%**, is intended to improve fertilizer-use efficiency and reduce India's dependence on **imported urea**. India produces nearly **300 lakh tonnes** of urea annually but still imports around **100 lakh tonnes**. Separately, a **150 TPD Green Urea pilot plant** is being developed at **Pudimadaka, Andhra Pradesh** by **NETRA** (the R&D arm of NTPC), integrating carbon capture with water electrolysis.
In July 2026, the **Ministry of Tourism (MoT)** signed a **Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)** with **Air India** in New Delhi to promote India as a preferred global tourism destination under the **Incredible India** brand. The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister **Gajendra Singh Shekhawat**. Valid for **two years**, it provides for **co-branded global marketing campaigns** across digital, social media and inflight platforms, and expands 'Incredible India' branding across Air India's customer touchpoints. The partnership also includes joint promotions with tour operators and travel-trade partners to boost **inbound tourism** and position India as a global travel and transit hub.
**Maharashtra** became the **first state in India** to qualify for release of the **second installment** under the **Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)** after meeting the fund-utilisation benchmark set by the Centre. The decision came in a review chaired by **Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan**. **RKVY** is a centrally sponsored scheme (launched **2007**) that gives states flexibility and autonomy to plan and execute **agriculture and allied-sector** development based on local needs.
Union Housing & Urban Affairs Minister **Manohar Lal Khattar** announced on **Sunday, 12 July 2026** that the **Central Vista redevelopment area** in New Delhi will now be referred to as the **'Kartavya Bhawan Complex'** or **'Kartavya Bhawan Area'**, and that the name **'Central Vista' should no longer be used** in official documents. Speaking at the **CPWD (Central Public Works Department) Foundation Day**, he said the precinct - comprising the **Kartavya Bhawans, Kartavya Marg** and future government buildings - reflects India's own identity over its colonial past. The area houses the **Common Central Secretariat (CCS)** of **10 buildings** meant to consolidate central ministries, of which **three are operational**. Rajpath was renamed **Kartavya Path** in 2022, and the new PMO complex is named **Seva Teerth**. ##Just as the Viceroy's House became Rashtrapati Bhawan, the administrative district now carries an Indian identity.##
**Uttarakhand** has become India's **sixth fully literate State**, after Governor **Lt Gen (Retd) Gurmit Singh** approved the declaration on **8 July 2026** under the **ULLAS - New India Literacy Programme (Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram)** and **NEP 2020**. The state's literacy rate now stands at over **98%**, above the **95% threshold** required for 'fully literate' status. Uttarakhand joins **Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim**. ULLAS targets adults **aged 15 and above** who missed formal schooling, with proficiency measured through the **Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT)**. Chief Minister: **Pushkar Singh Dhami**. ##A State or UT achieving 95% literacy is declared 'fully literate' under ULLAS.##
PM Narendra Modi visited Australia 8–10 July 2026 at the invitation of PM Anthony Albanese, with the T##hird India–Australia Annual Leaders' Summit ##held in ##Melbourne##. The visit produced 18 major outcomes under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (elevated 2020): a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation; agreement to accelerate CECA negotiations (the full FTA building on the 2022 ECTA); and, on 9 July, an administrative arrangement operationalising the 2015 India–Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, clearing the way for uranium commerce. The leaders also welcomed the signing of the ##ACITI Partnership MoU — Australia–Canada–India Technology and Innovation Partnership ##— a trilateral first announced at the G20 Johannesburg Summit (November 2025), pairing Australia's critical minerals, India's clean-energy market scale and Canada's innovation capacity. Cultural outcomes included progress on repatriating a First Nations ancestor held in India and Telugu human remains held in Australia.
India hosted the 4th BRICS Women Ministerial Meeting on 8–9 July 2026 in Kochi, Kerala, preceded by the Working Group meeting (6–7 July). Ministers adopted a Joint Statement and launched two India-initiated deliverables — the BRICS Women Digital Repository of Best Practices and the BRICS Women Digital Capacity Building Guidelines — covering women's leadership, digital and financial inclusion, and women's role in climate action and food security.
On 7 July 2026, PM Narendra Modi was conferred the ##Bintang Adipurna## — ##Indonesia's highest civilian honour## — by President Prabowo Subianto at Istana Merdeka (Presidential Palace), Jakarta. "Adipurna" is the highest class of the Bintang Republik Indonesia award, whose grandmaster is the Indonesian President; it recognises exceptional service to the unity, continuity and prosperity of Indonesia. ##Modi is only the second Indian PM to receive it after Jawaharlal Nehru ##(1995, during Indonesia's 50th independence anniversary). Modi dedicated the award to the people of India. The honour adds to the long list of top foreign civilian awards conferred on Modi.
India launched its official campaign for a **non-permanent seat** on the **UN Security Council (UNSC)** for the **2028-29 term**. External Affairs Minister **S. Jaishankar** unveiled the campaign and the **SHANTI** vision at UN Headquarters, New York (announced 13 July 2026). **SHANTI** stands for **Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity**, with pillars covering peacekeeping, maritime security, counter-terrorism and terror financing, responsible use of AI, sustainable development and reform of global institutions. India will contest the single Asia-Pacific Group seat against **Tajikistan** in elections due **June 2027**, requiring a two-thirds majority (at least **129 of 193 votes**). It would be India's **9th** stint on the Council.
External Affairs Minister **Dr. S. Jaishankar** launched India's campaign for election as a **non-permanent member** of the **UN Security Council (UNSC)** for the **2028-29 term** at the UN Headquarters in New York. The campaign is themed **'SHANTI: Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity'**. India's priority areas include countering terror financing, strengthening maritime security and responsible AI governance. Elections are scheduled for **June 2027**, where India will contest against **Tajikistan** for the sole Asia-Pacific seat. India has served **8 times** as a non-permanent UNSC member (most recently 2021-22). The UNSC has 15 members — 5 permanent (China, France, Russia, UK, USA) with veto power and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
The **United Nations** released the **Preliminary Report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI** — the first UN-commissioned scientific assessment of AI. It warns that AI development is **outpacing global governance** and urges governments to strengthen regulatory frameworks. The report was prepared by a **40-member panel** of scientists from all five UN regions, co-chaired by Turing Award laureate **Yoshua Bengio** and Nobel Peace Prize laureate **Maria Ressa**. It highlights a global AI imbalance: the **USA** holds 75% of global compute capacity and 59 AI models, **China** 15% and 35 models, while the rest of the world has just 10% and 13 models.
On 16 July 2026, Ukraine's Parliament (**Verkhovna Rada**) approved **Serhii Koretskyi**, CEO of Naftogaz of Ukraine, as the country's new **Prime Minister**, succeeding **Yulia Svyrydenko**. He secured 289 votes in the 450-member Parliament. Nominated by President **Volodymyr Zelenskyy** as part of a cabinet reshuffle, Koretskyi was chosen for his energy-sector leadership to strengthen Ukraine's winter preparedness and energy security, despite having no prior political experience.
External Affairs Minister **Dr. S. Jaishankar** launched India's campaign for a **non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC)** for the **2028-29 term** at UN Headquarters, New York. The campaign theme is **SHANTI: Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity**. India's priorities include countering terror financing, maritime security and responsible AI governance. Elections are scheduled for **June 2027**, where India competes against **Tajikistan** for the sole Asia-Pacific seat. India has served as a non-permanent member **8 times** (last in 2021-22).
The **UN** released the **Preliminary Report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI** — the first UN-commissioned scientific assessment of AI. Prepared by a **40-member panel** of experts from all five UN regions, it is co-chaired by Turing Award laureate **Yoshua Bengio** and Nobel Peace Prize laureate **Maria Ressa**. The report warns that **AI development is outpacing global governance** and urges stronger regulatory frameworks. It flags a global AI imbalance: the **USA** leads with **75%** of global compute and 59 AI models, **China** with 15% compute and 35 models, and the rest of the world just 10% compute and 13 models.
On **16 July 2026**, Ukraine's Parliament (**Verkhovna Rada**) approved **Serhii Koretskyi**, CEO of **Naftogaz**, as the country's new **Prime Minister**, succeeding **Yulia Svyrydenko**. He secured **289 votes** in the 450-member Parliament. Nominated by President **Volodymyr Zelenskyy** as part of a cabinet reshuffle, Koretskyi — with no prior political experience — was chosen for his energy-sector leadership to strengthen Ukraine's winter preparedness, energy security and critical infrastructure amid the ongoing war.
Under India's **BRICS Chairship 2026**, the **12th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting** concluded in **Hyderabad, Telangana** on **18 July 2026**, convened under the theme **"Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."** Union Labour & Employment Minister **Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya** led the Indian side. The meeting adopted the **BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers' Declaration** and launched **BRICS CONNECT**, an India-proposed initiative for technical cooperation, skills forecasting, digital employment services and social security. The **ILO Director-General** commended India's social protection system for now reaching **1 billion people**.
India deposited its **Instrument of Acceptance** of the **WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS)** on **20 July 2026**, becoming the **123rd WTO member** to accept it. Adopted at the **12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in 2022** and in force since **September 2025**, it is the WTO's **first multilateral agreement with an environmental sustainability objective**. It bans subsidies for **Illegal, Unreported & Unregulated (IUU) fishing**, for fishing on unregulated high seas, and for harvesting overfished stocks.
**Andy Burnham** became the **Prime Minister of the United Kingdom** on **20 July 2026** after being invited by **King Charles III** at Buckingham Palace to form a government, succeeding **Sir Keir Starmer**. Formerly the **Mayor of Greater Manchester** and MP for Makerfield, Burnham had held cabinet posts under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. In his first address he pledged to focus on the cost-of-living crisis and end political instability.
The **United States** and **Saudi Arabia** signed a **Section 123 Agreement** (under the **US Atomic Energy Act, 1954**) allowing Saudi Arabia to develop a **civilian nuclear programme**, alongside a bilateral safeguards agreement. It was signed by US Energy Secretary **Chris Wright** and Saudi Energy Minister **Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman**. Notably, the deal **does not include uranium enrichment**. It must be submitted to the **US Congress** for review. Some US lawmakers warned it could trigger a regional nuclear race, particularly in relation to **Iran**.
The **Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath** in **Uttar Pradesh** was inscribed on the **UNESCO World Heritage List** at the **48th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC)** held in **Busan, South Korea (Republic of Korea)** on **25 July 2026**. It becomes **India's 45th World Heritage Site (WHS)** and the **fourth in Uttar Pradesh** after the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Sarnath, near **Varanasi**, is where **Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dhammachakra Pravartana)** after attaining enlightenment, around **528 BCE**, in the Deer Park (**Mrigadava / Rishipatana**). The inscribed property has two components — the **Chaukhandi Stupa** and the archaeological remains including the **Dhamekh Stupa**, Dharmarajika Stupa, Mulagandhakuti Vihara and the **Ashokan Pillar**. Sarnath was on UNESCO's Tentative List since **1998**; India submitted its nomination in **January 2025** for the 2025–26 cycle. With this, India ranks **6th globally** and **2nd in Asia-Pacific** in number of World Heritage Sites.
The **Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath** in **Uttar Pradesh** was inscribed on the **UNESCO World Heritage List** during the **48th session of the World Heritage Committee** held in **Busan, Republic of Korea** (19-29 July 2026), with the inscription announced on **25 July 2026**. With this addition, India now has **45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites**. Located near **Varanasi**, Sarnath is where the **Buddha delivered his first sermon** (the Dhammachakra Pravartana). The inscribed property includes the **Dhamek Stupa**, the **Dharmarajika Stupa**, the **Chaukhandi Stupa**, the **Mulagandhakuti Vihara** and the **Ashokan Pillar** - whose **Lion Capital** is India's **State Emblem**.
India intensified its campaign for **permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)**, stressing the need for **comprehensive UNSC reforms** through its **SHANTI** framework. **SHANTI** stands for **S**ecurity, **H**umanitarian assistance, **AN**ti-terrorism, **T**echnology and **I**nfrastructure. India has long argued that the UNSC's structure - with **five permanent members (P5: US, UK, France, Russia, China)** wielding **veto power** - no longer reflects contemporary geopolitical realities. India is currently a leading voice among the **G4 (India, Brazil, Germany, Japan)** seeking permanent seats.
PM **Narendra Modi** and Australian PM **Anthony Albanese** held the **3rd India-Australia Annual Summit** in **Melbourne**, concluding Modi's **8-10 July 2026** state visit with **18 major outcomes**. The most consequential was the finalisation of the **administrative arrangement under the India-Australia Civil Nuclear Agreement** (originally signed in 2015), enabling **Australian uranium exports to India** for exclusively peaceful use under **IAEA safeguards**. Other outcomes included the **Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation (JDDSC)** - renewing the 2009 Joint Declaration on Security; the **Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap (MSCR)**; a new **Annual Defence Ministers' Dialogue**; the **Partnership for Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS)**; a sports collaboration roadmap; and approvals for Australian university campuses in India (including **Victoria University, Gurugram**). Foreign Secretary **Vikram Misri** briefed the media. The **Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)** remains under negotiation. ##The two nations completed six years of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2020.##
An Indian delegation visited **Kyrgyzstan from 4-7 July 2026** for the inauguration of the **International Centre for Civilizational Studies 'Manas and Mahabharata'** in **Bishkek**, exploring the parallels between India's **Mahabharata** and Kyrgyzstan's national epic, the **Manas**. The centre is a joint India-Kyrgyzstan initiative under the **Ministry of External Affairs / Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)**. The **Manas** is one of the world's longest oral epics and has been a **UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2009**. ##Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan.##
**Prime Minister Narendra Modi** held wide-ranging bilateral talks with **New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon** in **Auckland** on **11 July 2026**, and the two leaders agreed to **elevate India-New Zealand relations to a Strategic Partnership**. It was the **first visit by an Indian PM to New Zealand in 40 years** and the final leg of Modi's three-nation tour (after Australia). Several **MoUs** were exchanged across defence, disaster management, tourism, sports and animal husbandry, along with a **Maritime Cooperation Arrangement (MCA)** between the two navies. The talks built on the **India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA)** signed in April 2026. ##New Zealand's capital is Wellington, while Auckland is its largest city.##
The Government of India declared a **one-day national mourning on Monday, 13 July 2026**, as a mark of respect for **Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani**, the **former Emir (the 'Father Emir') of Qatar**, who passed away at the age of **74**. The national flag flew at **half-mast** across India. Sheikh Hamad **ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013**, overseeing the Gulf nation's rapid socio-economic transformation, before **handing power to his son, the current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani**, in 2013. Prime Minister **Narendra Modi** described him as a **'visionary leader'** and a close friend of India. Qatar announced a four-day national mourning. ##Sheikh Hamad voluntarily handed over power to his son Sheikh Tamim in 2013.##
MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh led India's delegation at the inaugural ##UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva## (6–7 July 2026), reaffirming India's 'AI for All' vision. The Dialogue was established under UNGA Resolution 79/325 (following the Global Digital Compact, September 2024), co-chaired by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, with ITU chief Doreen Bogdan-Martin as Vice-Chair; it received the first report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI.
The Indian Navy commissioned the indigenous stealth frigate **INS Mahendragiri (F38)**, the **sixth and final Nilgiri-class (Project-17A) frigate**, into the **Eastern Fleet** at Visakhapatnam, with Defence Minister **Rajnath Singh** presiding. Designed by the **Warship Design Bureau** and built by **Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai**, it bears the motto **"Mighty, Majestic, Matchless"**. Sister ships: Nilgiri, Himgiri, Udaygiri, Taragiri, Vindhyagiri.
The <b>World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA)</b> Global Air Power Rankings 2026 ranked the <b>Indian Air Force (IAF)</b> as the <b>3rd-most powerful air force</b> globally, behind only the United States and Russia, staying ahead of China's PLAAF for the <b>5th consecutive year</b>. When all air arms (Army, Navy, Air Force) are considered together, the IAF ranks 6th overall with a True Value Rating (TVR) of <b>69.4</b>; the US Air Force tops with a TVR of <b>242.9</b> (5,004 aircraft). The assessment evaluated 129 air services across 103 countries. Pakistan's air force ranked 18th and Bangladesh 83rd.
On **17 July 2026**, the **Indian Air Force (IAF)** contingent arrived in **Australia** for **Exercise Pitch Black 2026**, with **four Rafale** fighter jets, **two C-17 Globemaster III** transport aircraft and over **120 Air Warriors** — the first time IAF Rafales join the drill. The exercise runs **20 July-7 August 2026** across RAAF bases Darwin, Tindal and Amberley. One of the Indo-Pacific's largest air-combat exercises, it involves up to **100 aircraft** and 2,500+ personnel from around **20 nations**, aiming to enhance interoperability and combat skills.
The **Indian Air Force (IAF)** will take part in **Exercise Pitch Black 2026**, the **Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) largest multinational air-combat exercise**, held in Australia's **Northern Territory** from **20 July to 7 August 2026**. Pitch Black is a **biennial** exercise featuring large-force employment air-combat drills with air forces from around the world, strengthening interoperability among participating nations.
The **Indian Navy** is hosting **Operation Southern Readiness 26-2**, a multinational maritime training engagement, at the **Southern Naval Command, Kochi (Kerala)**, from **20 to 23 July 2026**. **Conducted with:** The four-day engagement is conducted in partnership with the **Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)** under the **India-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 154**, which is the CMF's dedicated **training task force**. **Objective:** To enhance maritime security cooperation, improve **interoperability** among partner navies and strengthen professional capabilities in tackling emerging maritime challenges. **Training content:** A blend of classroom sessions, **simulator-based instruction** and practical training covering **maritime law**, **maritime domain awareness**, information sharing, **counter-narcotics operations**, force protection, asymmetric threats and the employment of **maritime uncrewed systems**. **Participants:** Personnel from over **40 nations** are associated with the engagement, with participating countries including **Australia, Canada, Japan, Thailand, the UAE, Oman, Djibouti, Seychelles, the USA and the UK**.
The **DRDO** on **24 July 2026** carried out the **maiden flight test** of the indigenous **Kusha** long-range **surface-to-air missile (SAM)** from **APJ Abdul Kalam Island** off the **Odisha** coast. Kusha (**Project Kusha / LR-SAM**) features **three interceptor variants** with ranges of about **150 km, 250 km and up to 400 km**, able to engage fighter aircraft, drones and missiles. Cleared by the **Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in 2022**, the **Rs 21,700-crore** programme is expected to enter service between **2028 and 2030**, reducing India's reliance on imported systems such as the Russian **S-400**. The launch was monitored by DRDO Chairman and Defence Secretary **Rajesh Kumar Singh**.
**Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) Rajnath Singh** announced **two policy reforms** for the **Indian Coast Guard (ICG)** at **Kartavya Bhavan-2, New Delhi**, including a move towards **gender-neutral induction**. The **Indian Coast Guard**, established on **1 February 1977** and formally constituted under the **Coast Guard Act, 1978**, is an **armed force under the Ministry of Defence** responsible for **maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and protection of India's maritime zones**. Its motto is **'Vayam Rakshamah'** ('We Protect').
**Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh** felicitated **nine women officers** in New Delhi on **30 July 2026** for completing the **first-ever tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition**, named **'Samudra Pradakshina'**. The expedition demonstrated the growing role of **women in the armed forces** and India's maritime capability, echoing earlier all-women Navy sailing voyages such as **INSV Tarini's** expeditions. It reflects the government's continued push for **greater gender inclusion** across the three services.
The **Indian Navy** commissioned **INS Mahendragiri (F38)** on **11 July 2026** at the **Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam**, in the presence of Defence Minister **Rajnath Singh** and Navy Chief Admiral **Krishna Swaminathan**. It is the **sixth** of the **Project 17A (Nilgiri-class)** indigenous **stealth guided-missile frigates**, designed by the Navy's **Warship Design Bureau (WDB)** and built by **Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai**, with over **75% indigenous content**. Named after the **Mahendragiri range in the Eastern Ghats**, it carries **BrahMos** and **Barak-8** missiles and joins the **Eastern Fleet**. Its motto is **'Sthitpragyah, Raneshu, Aprajitah'** (steadfast, wise, invincible in battle). ##Project 17A frigates are all named after Indian mountain ranges.##
The **Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)** successfully conducted the first lift-off and landing test of its **RV-X reusable rocket prototype** at the Noshiro Testing Center, Akita Prefecture. The rocket rose to about **10 metres**, flew for around **40 seconds** and landed safely, demonstrating **vertical take-off and vertical landing (VTVL)** technology. Jointly developed with **Mitsubishi Heavy Industries**, the RV-X supports reusable successors to the single-use H3 launch vehicle.
IAF Group Captain **Shubhanshu Shukla** launched his debut book **'The Second Orbit: Belief of a Man… Dreams of 1.4 Billion Hearts'** in Bengaluru, published by **Penguin Random House India**, with former ISRO chiefs A.S. Kiran Kumar and S. Somanath present. The book chronicles his **Axiom Mission 4** experience — **18 days aboard the ISS** — and pays tribute to **Rakesh Sharma**, India's first astronaut (1984).
In July 2026, the **Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)** successfully conducted **three critical tests** of the **Gaganyaan Crew Module (CM)** systems. The tests were: the **Float inflation test** for the Crew Module Up-Righting System (CMUS); **Umbilical Separation Testing** of the Connect-Disconnect System (CS-CDS); and the **crew module structure qualification test** for Apex Cover separation loads. Together they validate splashdown recovery, module separation and parachute deployment ahead of India first crewed orbital mission.
Kerala-based spacetech startup **HEX20** successfully launched its second satellite **KOYO (Kinetic Optical Yaw Observer)** aboard **SpaceX's Transporter-17** mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. Carrying **81 payloads**, KOYO entered orbit as a multi-payload test platform for in-orbit technology validation. KOYO carries payloads from international partners (Aegiverse and National Central University of Taiwan, Amplified Space of USA, and ET Space Power) and validated HEX20's AX CubeSat platform. It builds on **NILA** (2025), India's first private-sector rideshare satellite and Kerala's first privately built satellite.
Kerala-based spacetech startup **HEX20** successfully launched its second satellite **KOYO (Kinetic Optical Yaw Observer)** aboard **SpaceX's Transporter-17** mission from **Vandenberg Space Force Base, California**. Carrying **81 payloads**, KOYO is a multi-payload test platform for in-orbit technology validation, with payloads from partners in Taiwan (Aegiverse, National Central University), the USA (Amplified Space) and ET Space Power. Designed to operate **18-24 months**, it validated HEX20 technologies including a new solar-panel deployment mechanism. It builds on **NILA (2025)**, India's first private-sector rideshare satellite and Kerala's first privately built satellite.
On **18 July 2026**, Hyderabad-based startup **Skyroot Aerospace** successfully launched **Vikram-1**, India's **first privately developed orbital-class rocket**, from the **Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota**, Andhra Pradesh. The debut flight was named **"Aagaman"** (Sanskrit for "Arrival"). With this, India becomes the **third nation** — after the **United States and China** — with private-sector orbital launch capability. The rocket placed its payload into a **~450 km orbit** about 15 minutes after lift-off. Vikram-1 is a **four-stage, seven-storey-tall small-satellite launch vehicle** carrying about **350 kg** to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), using **three solid-fuel stages** plus a **liquid-fuel orbital adjustment module powered by a 3D-printed engine**. Skyroot, founded in **2018**, earlier in 2026 became India's first space-sector company to reach a **$1 billion valuation**.
**Skyroot Aerospace**, a Hyderabad-based private space start-up, successfully launched **India's first privately built orbital-class rocket, Vikram-1**, on **18 July 2026** from the **Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh)**. The maiden flight was named **Mission Aagaman** (Sanskrit for 'Arrival'). With this launch India became only the **third country — after the United States and China — to achieve private orbital launch capability**, a milestone enabled by the **Indian Space Policy 2023**. **Mission details:** The **four-stage, seven-storey-tall** Vikram-1 injected all payloads into a **450 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO)** at an inclination of **60 degrees**, about 15 minutes after lift-off. The vehicle can carry roughly **350 kg** to LEO. **Payloads:** Skyroot's in-house **SCOPE** payload; **Grahaa Space's SOLARAS S3** technology-demonstration satellite; **Cosmoserve Space's 'Embrace'** robotic arm for future space-debris removal; and Germany's **DCUBED** technology-demonstration payloads (**uD3PP** and **mD3RN**). The flight also carried symbolic cargo — **Cosmic Bloom**, a lotus artwork made of lab-grown diamonds; an **18-karat gold micro-rocket** containing microscopic sculptures of **Sir C.V. Raman, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam**; and a handwritten postcard from **PM Narendra Modi** bearing the message **'Vande Mataram'**.
**NASA** researchers proposed an **AI-powered mission concept named PRAXIS** (Planetary Rings Autonomous EXploration with In-situ Sampling) under **Phase I** of the **NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) 2026** program. PRAXIS aims to enable the **first-ever direct collection and analysis of particles from Saturn's rings**, targeting **millimetre- to centimetre-sized** ring particles. The project is led by **Dr. B. Marco Quadrelli** of NASA's **Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)**, California. Direct study of raw ring particles will provide insights into the **age, origin and evolution** of planetary ring systems, and could enable future exploration of fainter rings around **Uranus and Neptune** and minor bodies such as Chariklo and Chiron.
In July 2026, **NASA** researchers proposed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) mission concept called **PRAXIS** (Planetary Rings Autonomous EXploration with In-situ Sampling) under **Phase I** of the **NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) 2026** program. PRAXIS aims to enable the **first-ever direct collection and analysis** of particles from **Saturn's rings**. The project will be led by **Dr B. Marco Quadrelli** of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California. It is designed to deliver the first direct observations of **millimetre- to centimetre-scale** ring particles, offering insights into the **age, origin and evolution** of planetary ring systems, with potential applications to the fainter rings of **Uranus, Neptune** and bodies such as **Chariklo and Chiron**.
**ISRO** successfully carried out the **flight-acceptance hot test** of the **CE20 cryogenic engine** earmarked for the **LVM3-M7 mission** on **6 July 2026** at the **Main Engine & Stage Test facility, ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri (Tamil Nadu)**. For the first time, the test used a newly developed **Nozzle Protection System (NPS)** to test the full **area-ratio-100 nozzle under sea-level conditions** at a **thrust of 22 tonnes**. The **indigenously developed** CE20 powers the **upper stage of the LVM3** and has flown **eight successive LVM3 missions** (including **Chandrayaan-2** and **Chandrayaan-3**); it is **human-rated for the Gaganyaan mission**. ##The CE20 is developed by ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC).##
The **Department of Telecommunications (DoT)** signed an MoU with the **Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI)** during the 9th TSDSI Technical Deep Dive 2026, under the **TDIP Scheme (outlay ₹203 crore for 2026–31)** supporting the **Bharat 6G Mission**. DPIIT-recognised startups/MSMEs get up to **98% support**, plus travel assistance for participation in global bodies like **3GPP, ITU and oneM2M**.
In July 2026, the **Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)** released the **second edition** of the **Digital Threat Report 2025-26** for the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) and payments ecosystem. It was jointly released by MeitY, **CERT-In**, **CSIRT-Fin** and SISA. The report sets an **18-month roadmap** for financial institutions and introduces a new **Anatomy of Cyber Failure — 4-Layer Gap Archetype Framework** explaining how a cyberattack progresses from initial weakness to a full-scale breach.
The **Union Cabinet**, chaired by **PM Narendra Modi**, approved the **Semicon 2.0** programme — a new semiconductor incentive scheme with a total budget outlay of **Rs 1,27,500 crore** — to deepen India's semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem. It builds on Semicon 1.0 (the India Semiconductor Mission, ISM 1.0) and reaffirms India's goal of becoming a global hub for chip design, manufacturing and innovation. Semicon 2.0 is structured around **six pillars**: Design; Machines & Materials; Setting up more Fabs; ATMP/OSAT (assembly, testing, marking & packaging); Research & Development (R&D); and Talent development. Under ISM 1.0, the government has approved **12 semiconductor manufacturing projects** with cumulative investment of over **Rs 1.64 lakh crore**, plus **24 design projects** from startups/MSMEs, and provided EDA-tool access to **105 startups and MSMEs**.
<b>India</b> recorded its best-ever performance at the <b>56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO 2026)</b>, held in <b>Bucaramanga, Colombia</b> (4-12 July 2026), with all <b>five</b> Indian participants winning <b>gold medals</b>. India secured <b>joint first place</b> in the overall medal tally alongside Russia, China, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Taiwan. The gold medallists were Kanishk Jain, Riddhesh Anant Bendale, Rishit Garg, Shresth Suraiya and Svarit Joshi. It was India's <b>27th participation</b>; the team was trained by the <b>Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE)</b>, a centre of TIFR under the Department of Atomic Energy. IPhO was established in <b>1967</b>.
On **17 July 2026**, PM **Narendra Modi** flagged off **India's first hydrogen-powered train** from **Jind railway station, Haryana**. Railway Minister **Ashwini Vaishnaw**, Haryana Governor **Ashim Kumar Ghosh** and CM **Nayab Singh Saini** were present. The train runs the **89-km Jind-Sonipat route**, covering it in about two hours with **12 intermediate stops**, at an operating speed of **75 km/h** (design speed 110 km/h). The **10-coach** train can carry nearly **2,600 passengers**, uses a **3,200-horsepower** propulsion system, and its hydrogen fuel cells emit only **water vapour**. It is reportedly the **largest-capacity hydrogen train in operation worldwide**; a hydrogen refuelling facility has been set up at Jind.
**VK Saxena**, Lieutenant Governor of **Ladakh**, commissioned **India's first and deepest two geothermal wells**, each **1,000 metres** deep, at **Puga Valley in Ladakh** in **July 2026**. The wells were executed by the **ONGC Energy Centre** of **Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)**. **Significance:** The wells are critical to implementing a **1 Megawatt (MW) Pilot Geothermal Power Plant** at Puga Valley, situated at an altitude of over **14,000 feet** above sea level. This will be **India's first demonstration-scale geothermal power project**. **Technical findings:** At a depth of **400 metres**, the wells recorded a maximum temperature of **135 degrees Celsius**. **Purpose:** The pilot will evaluate **drilling, fluid behaviour, thermal profiles and energy-conversion mechanisms** before full-scale deployment. Successful completion enables **reservoir evaluation, power plant planning** and eventual **commercial development** of geothermal resources in Ladakh.
**VK Saxena**, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, commissioned India's **first and deepest two geothermal wells (1,000 m each)** at **Puga Valley, Ladakh**, executed by the **ONGC Energy Centre**. The wells are critical to a planned **1 MW pilot geothermal power plant** at Puga (altitude over **14,000 feet**) — India's first demonstration-scale geothermal power project. At **400 m depth**, the wells recorded a maximum temperature of **135°C**.
**NIELIT** (National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology) will establish two **Centres of Excellence** in **Ahmedabad (Gujarat)** and **Guwahati (Assam)** to train talent in **OSAT** (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly & Test) and **ATMP** (Assembly, Testing, Marking & Packaging). It supports **India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0**, approved with an outlay of **Rs 1.28 lakh crore**. NIELIT has partnered with Tata Electronics, Infineon and SCL Mohali, and will offer BTech, MTech and diploma programmes in semiconductors.
On **24 July 2026**, **HCLTech** announced it will set up its **first AI Data Centre** in the upcoming **Odisha Sovereign AI Park**, in partnership with AI startup **Sarvam** and the **Government of Odisha**, with a planned capital outlay of **Rs 14,257 crore** (total project ~Rs 15,000 crore across the three entities). It will provide secure, scalable digital infrastructure for government, research bodies, startups and enterprises. HCLTech will also set up a **Global Delivery Centre (GDC)** in the state, creating about **5,000 jobs**, with operations expected to begin by **2028**. It forms part of HCLTech's entry into the **full-stack AI** market.
The **Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)** celebrated its **20th Foundation Day** at Prithvi Bhawan, New Delhi, presided over by Secretary **Dr. N. Kalaiselvi**. Key launches include: the **India Meteorological Department (IMD)** established **13 Centres of Excellence**, upgraded the **Thiruvananthapuram Cyclone Warning Centre** to an **Area Cyclone Warning Centre (ACWC)**, and launched **IMD NOVA** for thunderstorm nowcasting. The **NCMRWF** introduced the **WINGS mobile app** for numerical weather prediction and a **National Doppler Weather Radar Reflectivity Mosaic**. The **National Centre for Seismology (NCS)** released the **Strong Motion Atlas of India (2010–2020)**, and the **CMLRE** released marine taxonomic manuals.
On **27 July 2026**, the **Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)** celebrated its **20th Foundation Day** at Prithvi Bhawan, New Delhi, marking two decades of work in weather forecasting, oceanography, seismology and polar research. The event was presided over by MoES Secretary **Dr N. Kalaiselvi**. Key launches included: the **India Meteorological Department (IMD)** establishing **13 Centres of Excellence**, upgrading the Thiruvananthapuram Cyclone Warning Centre to an **Area Cyclone Warning Centre**, and launching **IMD NOVA** for thunderstorm nowcasting; the **NCMRWF's WINGS** mobile app and a **National Doppler Weather Radar Reflectivity Mosaic**; and the **National Centre for Seismology** releasing the **Strong Motion Atlas of India (2010-2020)**.
Danish drugmaker **Novo Nordisk** launched **Awiqli (insulin icodec)** in India - the **world's first once-weekly basal (long-acting) insulin** approved for clinical use - for adults with **Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes**. It reduces injections from **365 to 52 per year**. India is the **seventh country** to launch the drug (after the US, EU, Canada and others). A **70-unit weekly dose is priced at about Rs 261**. India has over **101 million people living with diabetes** and another **136 million with prediabetes**. ##A single weekly injection replaces a full week of daily basal insulin doses.##
**China's 'LineShine'** was named the **world's fastest supercomputer** at the **2026 ISC High Performance** conference, displacing the **US-based 'El Capitan'** from the top spot. LineShine achieved the leading **double-precision performance on the High-Performance Linpack (HPL) benchmark**, the standard test used to rank supercomputers by **floating-point operations per second (FLOPS)**. Global supercomputer rankings are tracked by the biannual **TOP500** list. ##The Linpack benchmark measures a computer's raw mathematical processing speed.##
**China** successfully **recovered the first-stage booster** of its new **Long March-10B (CZ-10B)** carrier rocket during its **maiden flight on 10 July 2026**, becoming only the **second nation after the United States** to recover an orbital-class rocket. Launched from the **Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site at Wenchang**, the booster was caught at sea using a novel **wire-arrestment 'net-capture' system** rather than SpaceX-style landing legs - the **world's first net-based recovery** of a carrier rocket. Built by **CASC (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation)**, the reusable Long March-10B can lift about **16 tonnes to low-Earth orbit** and supports China's **crewed lunar programme** (a Moon landing is targeted before 2030). ##Reusable first stages sharply cut the cost of reaching orbit.##
Researchers from the **Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)**, Bengaluru, discovered **two new species of rare solitary bees** — **Elaphropoda triangulata** and **Habropoda adi** — during the Siang Expedition in **Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh**. Published in the **European Journal of Taxonomy**, the find highlights the biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas. Elaphropoda triangulata is named for its triangular abdominal markings; Habropoda adi honours the indigenous **Adi community**. Both are solitary ground-nesting bees and key pollinators, each currently known from a single male specimen.
On **17 July 2026**, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor **V. K. Saxena** commissioned India's **first and deepest geothermal wells** at **Puga Valley** in eastern Ladakh. The two production wells, drilled by the **ONGC Energy Centre**, each reach a depth of **1,000 metres** at an altitude above **14,000 feet**. A maximum temperature of **135 degrees C** was recorded at 400 metres depth. The wells pave the way for India's **first demonstration-scale 1 MW geothermal pilot power project** at Puga.
A team of Indian odonatologists discovered a new species of **spreadwing damselfly**, **'Lestes paloti'**, from the **Western Ghats in Kerala** in **July 2026**. The species belongs to the family **Lestidae** under the order **Odonata**. The discovery was published in the **International Journal of Odonatology**. **Naming:** The species is named in honour of **Dr. Muhamed Jafer Palot** of the **Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kozhikode**, for his contributions to Indian odonatology. **Distribution:** Recorded across **six districts** in Kerala — **Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad and Ernakulam**. **Habitat & characteristics:** Unlike most related damselflies that stay near open water, *Lestes paloti* prefers **scrub vegetation around homesteads and laterite hillocks**, often far from visible water bodies. It is **brown in the dry season and bluish in the monsoon**, and was validated as a distinct species through detailed male genital examination. **Significance:** The find resolves a **decades-long misidentification with Lestes nodalis** and is the **first new Lestes species discovered in the Western Ghats in 97 years**, taking **Kerala's odonate species count to 192**.
Indian odonatologists discovered a new spreadwing **damselfly, Lestes paloti**, from the **Western Ghats in Kerala** (family Lestidae, order Odonata), published in the **International Journal of Odonatology**. It is the **first new Lestes species found in the Western Ghats in 97 years**, raising Kerala's odonate count to **192**. Named after **Dr. Muhamed Jafer Palot** of the Zoological Survey of India, it was recorded across six Kerala districts and turns brown in the dry season and bluish in the monsoon.
**Rajasthan's tiger population** reached **149** across its **five tiger reserves** as of **28 July 2026**, up from **135 in 2025**. Rajasthan's tiger reserves include **Ranthambhore, Sariska, Mukundra Hills, Ramgarh Vishdhari and Dholpur-Karauli** (India's newest, notified in 2023). Project Tiger, India's flagship tiger conservation programme, was launched in **1973**; tiger monitoring is coordinated by the **National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)**.
The **ICC** inducted former India women's captain **Anjum Chopra** and former England captain **Kevin Pietersen** into the **ICC Hall of Fame** during its Annual Conference in **Edinburgh, Scotland**, taking total inductees to **125**. Anjum Chopra became the **3rd Indian woman** (after Diana Edulji and Neetu David) and 13th Indian overall. She was the first Indian woman to play 100 ODIs and reach 1,000 ODI runs, and received the **Padma Shri in 2014**.
In July 2026, the **Indian Women Cricket Team**, led by **Harmanpreet Kaur**, defeated **England by 270 runs** in the first-ever **Women Test at Lord's**, London, defending a target of **457** — India **second-largest win by runs** in Women Tests. **Yastika Bhatia (113)** became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's and entered the honours board; **Smriti Mandhana** scored fifties in both innings. Debutant **Kranti Gaud** took 5/37 (7/91 in the match) to become the first woman with a five-wicket haul in a Women Test at Lord's.
The **Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS)** granted **conditional recognition** to the **Judo Federation of India (JFI)**, allowing it to resume governance, organise championships, select athletes and ensure India's participation in domestic and international events. Recognition followed JFI's agreement to comply with MYAS directives and the **National Sports Development Code, 2011**. JFI had been under a court-appointed administrator since 2022; after a Delhi High Court ruling in February 2026, it held its AGM and aligned with the **National Sports Governance Act, 2025**. Interim committee: **Mukesh Kumar** (President), Banee Brata Das (Secretary General), Shailesh Shrikant Tilak (Treasurer).
On **19 July 2026**, **Spain** defeated **Argentina** **1-0** in extra time to win the **FIFA World Cup 2026** final played at the **MetLife Stadium**, East Rutherford, **New Jersey, USA**. **Ferran Torres** scored the winning goal in the **106th minute**, early in the first half of extra time. **What happened:** Spain dominated possession and territory through regulation time but were repeatedly denied by the Argentine goalkeeper. The decisive swing came in second-half stoppage time when Argentina's **Enzo Fernandez** was sent off for a second bookable offence, leaving Argentina to play extra time with **10 men**. Torres struck soon after the restart of extra time to settle the match. **Significance:** This is Spain's **2nd FIFA World Cup title**, their first since **2010** (South Africa), where they beat the Netherlands in the final. Argentina, the defending champions from **Qatar 2022**, finished runners-up and remain on **3 titles** (1978, 1986, 2022). **England** finished **third**, beating **France 6-4** in the third-place play-off. **About the tournament:** The **2026 FIFA World Cup** was the **23rd edition** and the first hosted jointly by **three nations** — the **United States, Canada and Mexico** — and the first expanded to **48 teams**.
In **July 2026**, the **International Cricket Council (ICC)** approved major format changes to the **ICC Men's ODI World Cup** and the **ICC Men's T20 World Cup** during its annual Board meetings held in **Edinburgh, Scotland**. **New ODI World Cup format (from 2027):** A **four-stage** format comprising — 1. A **Preliminary Round** featuring the 12th- to 14th-ranked teams, 2. **Two groups of six teams**, 3. A **Super 7** stage replacing the **Super Six**, and 4. The **knockout stage**. The top **three** teams from each group plus the **best fourth-placed** team advance. Total matches increase from **48 to 57**. The tournament remains a **14-team** event. **New T20 World Cup format:** The **20-team** event will begin with **five groups of four teams**, followed by a **Super 10** stage replacing the **Super 8**, with the **top two** from each group advancing and **Eliminators** determining the remaining semi-finalists. The second stage thus expands from **8 to 10 teams**. **Purpose:** To enhance competitiveness and reduce **dead-rubber** matches.
**Spain** won the **FIFA World Cup 2026**, the **23rd edition** of the quadrennial men's football championship, defeating defending champions **Argentina 1-0 after extra time** in the final played at **MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey (USA)** on **19 July 2026**. Substitute **Ferran Torres** scored the decisive goal in the **106th minute**. This is Spain's **second** World Cup crown, their first since **2010 (South Africa)**. The 2026 edition ran from **11 June to 19 July 2026** and was the first co-hosted by **three nations** — the **United States (11 host cities), Mexico (3) and Canada (2)**, 16 host cities in all. It was also the first World Cup with an expanded **48-team format** (up from 32), organised as **12 groups of four**, a **104-match** schedule, and a new **Round of 32** comprising the top two from each group plus the **eight best third-placed** teams. **Individual awards:** Spain's **Rodri** won the **Golden Ball** (best player); France's **Kylian Mbappe** took the **Golden Boot** with **10 goals**, becoming the **first player to win the Golden Boot twice**; Spain's **Unai Simon** won the **Golden Glove**, setting a World Cup record of **7 clean sheets in 8 matches**; and Spain's **Pau Cubarsi** was named **Best Young Player**. Argentina's **Lionel Messi**, aged **39**, became the **oldest outfield player to start a World Cup final** and the **first player to start three World Cup finals**, finishing with **8 goals and 4 assists** and taking the **Silver Ball**; **Mbappe** took the Bronze Ball.
India's **Pusarla Venkata (PV) Sindhu**, a two-time Olympic medallist, won her **maiden Japan Open women's singles title** at the **2026 Japan Open** (officially the **Daihatsu Japan Open 2026**), defeating Japan's **Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17** in the final. The tournament was the **43rd edition** of the **BWF Super 750** event, held at the **Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan**, from **14 to 19 July 2026**. **Other winners:** **Men's Singles — Christo Popov (France)** beat Japan's **Koki Watanabe 21-11, 21-19**. **Men's Doubles — Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (Indonesia)** beat **Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae (South Korea)**. **Women's Doubles — Kim Hye-jeong and Kong Hee-yong (South Korea)** beat **Jia Yifan and Zhang Shuxian (China)**. **Mixed Doubles — Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping (China)** beat **Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet (Hong Kong)**.
On **18 July 2026**, Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports **Mansukh Mandaviya**, along with **Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma**, President of the **Badminton Association of India (BAI)** and Chief Minister of **Assam**, unveiled the official mascot **'Peacko'** and launched the championship anthem for the **BWF World Championships 2026** in **New Delhi**. **Mascot:** **'Peacko'** is inspired by the **Indian Peafowl**, India's national bird. **Anthem:** The official anthem features India's **16-member** World Championships contingent, including **PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Ayush Shetty, Unnati Hooda, Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly**. **Tournament:** This is the **30th edition** of the **BWF World Championships**, scheduled for **17-23 August 2026** at the **Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi**, featuring **400+ shuttlers from over 50 countries**.
**Spain** secured its **second FIFA World Cup title**, defeating defending champions **Argentina 1-0 after extra time** in the **2026 final** at **MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey (USA)**, with substitute **Ferran Torres** scoring in the **106th minute**. The **23rd edition** (11 June-19 July 2026) was co-hosted by the **USA, Mexico and Canada** in an expanded **48-team** format. **Rodri** (Spain) won the **Golden Ball**; **Kylian Mbappé** (France) took the **Golden Boot** with 10 goals; **Lionel Messi** (aged 39) won the Silver Ball; **Unai Simón** set a record with 7 clean sheets.
India's **PV Sindhu** won her **maiden Japan Open women's singles title**, defeating Japan's **Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17** in the final of the **BWF Super 750** event (Daihatsu Japan Open 2026, 43rd edition) in Tokyo, 14-19 July 2026. In the men's singles, France's **Christo Popov** beat Japan's Koki Watanabe.
Boxer **Lovlina Borgohain** confirmed **India's first medal** at the **Commonwealth Games 2026** in **Glasgow, Scotland**, even before the opening ceremony (23 July 2026). In the **women's 75 kg** category, only five boxers entered, so she reached the **semifinal** without a bout; under CWG boxing rules, both losing semifinalists take **bronze**, guaranteeing her a podium finish. The **Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist** from **Assam** begins her campaign on **31 July**, and this will be her **maiden CWG podium**.
India continued its medal campaign at the **Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2026** in **Glasgow, Scotland**. As of **Day 5 (28 July 2026)**, India had won **12 medals — 2 gold, 7 silver and 3 bronze**. On 28 July, **Gulveer Singh** won **silver in athletics** and **Harjinder Kaur** won **silver in the women's 69 kg weightlifting**, while boxers **Preeti Pawar, Priya Ghanghas and Jadumani Singh** entered the semi-finals to assure India of more medals. Glasgow is hosting a **scaled-down edition** of the Games with a reduced sports programme, featuring athletes from **Commonwealth nations and territories**.
India continued its strong campaign at the **2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland** (held **23 July - 2 August 2026**). On **Day 6 (29 July)**, **Dilip Mahadu Gavit** clinched **gold** in the **men's 100m T47** with a Games-record **10.71 seconds**, while **Mohammed Basil M** took **silver** to complete a historic Indian **1-2 finish** in para-athletics. **Murali Sreeshankar** won **silver** in the **men's long jump** with a best of **8.09m** (Jamaica's Tajay Gayle took gold with 8.15m), and **Gulveer Singh** earned a historic **silver** in the **men's 10,000m**. India's boxers also swept their quarter-finals, with six pugilists advancing to the semi-finals. Earlier in the Games, **Mirabai Chanu** delivered a weightlifting gold. Glasgow 2026 is a **scaled-down edition** featuring around **11 sports** and **74 participating nations**.
At the **Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland (23 July-2 August 2026)**, weightlifter **Saikhom Mirabai Chanu** won **gold in the women's 48 kg category**, completing a **hat-trick of Commonwealth Games gold medals** (after Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022). She lifted a total of **190 kg (85 kg snatch + 105 kg clean & jerk)**, breaking the Games records in the snatch, clean & jerk and total. It was her **fourth CWG medal** overall (silver at Glasgow 2014) and India's **first gold** of the 2026 Games. As of **Day 7 (30 July)**, India's tally stood at **15 medals - 3 gold, 9 silver, 3 bronze**. Other highlights included **Lovepreet Singh** (weightlifting silver) and **Seema Kaliramna** (discus throw bronze). (Medal tallies change hourly - verify against the official CGF/IOA table before publishing.)
**Aswath S**, a **17-year-old** from **Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu**, became **India's 98th chess Grandmaster** after securing his third and final GM norm at the **Pune International Grandmaster Round Robin Tournament** (30 June-8 July 2026). He finished **runner-up with 7 points from 9 rounds**, defeating USA's FM Kannan Vaidyanathan with the black pieces in the final round. **Abhijeet Gupta** won the tournament. Aswath is also **Tamil Nadu's 38th Grandmaster**. The Grandmaster title is awarded by **FIDE** and requires **three GM norms and a 2500 FIDE rating**. ##India now needs just two more Grandmasters to reach the milestone of 100.##
Union Youth Affairs & Sports Minister **Mansukh Mandaviya** announced that **Telangana** will host the **8th Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG)** in **November 2026**, with over **8,000 athletes and officials** expected. Telangana becomes the **second southern state in three years** to host, after **Tamil Nadu (2024)** and **Bihar (2025)**. In the **2025 Bihar edition**, **Maharashtra topped** the medal table, followed by **Haryana** and **Rajasthan**; hosts Bihar finished 15th and Telangana 13th. ##Khelo India was launched in 2018 to nurture grassroots sporting talent.##
**Jannik Sinner** of Italy won the **Wimbledon 2026 men's singles** title, defeating Germany's **Alexander Zverev** in the final. In the **women's singles**, **Linda Noskova** of the **Czech Republic** claimed her maiden Grand Slam title, beating compatriot **Karolina Muchova** 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in the **first all-Czech Wimbledon women's final** of the professional era. The 21-year-old Noskova is the **third Czech woman in four years** to win the Wimbledon crown. Wimbledon, played at the **All England Club, London**, is the **oldest tennis tournament** and the only Grand Slam contested on grass. ##Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam still played on grass courts.##
The **Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND)** was named **runner-up at the Best Egmont Case Award (BECA) 2026** for uncovering a large-scale cyber fraud. Director **Anil Mohan Govil** received the award at the Egmont Group Plenary in **Baku, Azerbaijan**. FIU-IND traced a laundering network involving proceeds of nearly **₹868 crore** and over **5,000 mule accounts**; the ED seized cash and crypto and attached assets under PMLA, 2002. **Taiwan's AMLD** won BECA 2026.
**Nita Ambani**, founder-chairperson of **Reliance Foundation**, was felicitated with the **Fortune India Most Powerful Women (MPW)** honour in Mumbai, topping the **Fortune India MPW 2026 list of 100 women**. Top 5: Nita Ambani (1), **Roshni Nadar**, CEO of HCL Technologies (2), the Reddy sisters of Apollo Hospitals (3), **Savitri Jindal** (4), and **Dr. Priti Adani** (5).
In July 2026, the **International Cricket Council (ICC)** inducted former Indian women captain **Anjum Chopra** and former England captain **Kevin Pietersen** into the **ICC Hall of Fame** at its Annual Conference in **Edinburgh, Scotland**. Anjum Chopra became the **3rd Indian woman** (after Diana Edulji and Neetu David) and the **13th Indian overall**, taking total inductees to **125**. She was the first Indian woman to play 100 ODIs and received the **Padma Shri** in 2014.
In July 2026, the **Financial Intelligence Unit — India (FIU-IND)** was named **runner-up** at the **Best Egmont Case Award (BECA) 2026**, one of the Egmont Group highest honours, for uncovering a large-scale cyber fraud. Director **Anil Mohan Govil** received it at the Egmont Group Plenary in **Baku, Azerbaijan**. FIU-IND traced a money-laundering network involving ~**Rs 868 crore** in cyber-fraud proceeds, over **5,000 mule accounts** and crypto transactions. **Taiwan AMLD** won BECA 2026.
The <b>Geographical Indications Registry (GIR)</b>, under the <b>DPIIT</b> (Ministry of Commerce and Industry), granted <b>GI tags</b> to two Gujarat agricultural products — <b>Unjha Cumin (Jeera)</b> and <b>Unjha Fennel (Saunf)</b>, both from the Unjha region in north Gujarat. With this, Gujarat's list of GI-tagged agricultural products expands to <b>6</b> (joining Gir Kesar mangoes, Bhalia wheat, Kachchhi Kharek and Amalsadi chikoo). Unjha (Mehsana district) is India's largest fennel-producing region and one of Asia's largest fennel trading hubs. NABARD has facilitated GI registration of 28 new products, taking its total to 176.
The winners of the **72nd National Film Awards** — honouring Indian cinema of **2024** — were announced in **New Delhi on 18 July 2026**, with the jury headed by veteran Malayalam filmmaker **Jayaraj**. **Best Feature Film** went to **Article 370**. **Kartik Aaryan** (for *Chandu Champion*, portraying Paralympic gold medallist Murlikant Petkar) and **Mammootty** (for *Bramayugam*) shared the **Best Actor** award, while **Yami Gautam** won **Best Actress** for *Article 370*. Other winners across categories included *Amaran*, *Kalki 2898 AD*, *Pushpa: The Rule* and *Maharaja*.
The jury of the **72nd National Film Awards** announced the winners for the year **2024** on **18 July 2026** in **New Delhi**, recognising excellence across feature films, non-feature films and writing on cinema. The announcement was made by **Jayaraj** (Chairperson, Feature Film Jury), **Aseem Sinha** (Chairperson, Non-Feature Film Jury) and **A. Chandrasekhar** (Chairperson, Best Writing on Cinema Jury). **Key winners:** **Best Feature Film — Article 370**, directed by **Aditya Suhas Jambhale**. The film also won **Best Actress** and **Best Music Direction**. **Best Actor (jointly) — Mammootty** for the Malayalam horror drama **Bramayugam**, and **Kartik Aaryan** for the Hindi sports biopic **Chandu Champion**. This is **Mammootty's 4th National Film Award**, after Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha and Mathilukal (**1989**), Ponthan Mada and Vidheyan (**1994**), and Dr. Ambedkar (**1999**). **Best Actress — Yami Gautam** for **Article 370** — her **first-ever** National Film Award. **Best Direction — Rajkumar Periyasamy** for the Tamil film **Amaran**. **Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment — Kalki 2898 AD**, directed by **Nag Ashwin**. **Best Debut Film of a Director — Randeep Hooda** for **Swatantrya Veer Savarkar**. **Best Non-Feature Film — Bhangaar**; **Best Documentary — Ram-Nami**. Winners receive the **Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus)** and a cash prize of **Rs 2 lakh** in the acting categories.
The jury of the **72nd National Film Awards** (for the year **2024**) announced the winners in New Delhi. **Article 370**, directed by **Aditya Suhas Jambhale**, won **Best Feature Film**. **Best Actor** was shared by **Mammootty** (Bramayugam, Malayalam — his 4th National Award) and **Kartik Aaryan** (Chandu Champion, Hindi). **Yami Gautam** won **Best Actress** for Article 370 — her first National Award. **Rajkumar Periyasamy** won **Best Direction** for the Tamil film **Amaran**, and **Kalki 2898 AD** (dir. Nag Ashwin) won **Best Popular Film**. **Randeep Hooda** won **Best Debut Film of a Director** for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.
The **2026 Fields Medal**, mathematics' highest honour, was awarded to **four mathematicians** at the **International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM)** held in **Philadelphia, USA** on **23 July 2026**: **Yu Deng** (University of Chicago), **John Pardon** (Stony Brook University), **Jacob Tsimerman** (University of Toronto), and **Hong Wang** (NYU/IHES). **Hong Wang** - recognised for advances in **Fourier restriction and the Kakeya problem in three dimensions** - became only the **third woman** to win the medal in its **90-year history**, after **Maryam Mirzakhani (2014)** and **Maryna Viazovska (2022)**. Wang and Deng are also the **first Chinese nationals** to win since 1982. The Fields Medal is awarded by the **International Mathematical Union (IMU) every four years** to mathematicians **under 40**.
The **Department of Telecommunications' (DoT)** flagship **'Samriddh Gram'** initiative was declared the **global winner of the WSIS Prizes 2026** under **Action Line C6 - Enabling Environment**, at the **WSIS Forum 2026 in Geneva**. The **WSIS (World Summit on the Information Society) Prizes** are instituted by the **International Telecommunication Union (ITU)** to honour ICT projects advancing sustainable development. Built on the **BharatNet** network, Samriddh Gram delivers integrated **'phygital' services** (healthcare, education, agriculture, finance, e-governance, e-commerce) through village-level **Samriddhi Kendras**. Union Communications Minister **Jyotiraditya Scindia** hailed the recognition. ##Over 2.2 million global votes were cast across nominated WSIS projects.##
India's **five-member team won all five gold medals** at the **56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026**, held in **Bucaramanga, Colombia** (5-12 July 2026), securing the **joint World No. 1 rank** alongside **China, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea and Taiwan**. A total of **381 students from 87 countries** participated. The gold medallists were **Kanishk Jain (Pune), Riddhesh Anant Bendale (Indore), Rishit Garg (Delhi), Shresth Suraiya (Mumbai) and Svarit Joshi (Ahmedabad)**. The team was trained by the **Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE)**, a centre of **TIFR** under the **Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)**. ##Every Indian participant at the IPhO over the past decade has won a medal.##
Former **India captain Sourav Ganguly** was inducted into the **ICC Hall of Fame** as part of the **Class of 2026**, at a ceremony in **Edinburgh**. He was inducted alongside former **India women's captain Anjum Chopra** and former **England batter Kevin Pietersen**, taking the total number of Hall of Fame members to **125**. One of India's most influential captains, Ganguly scored **7,212 runs in 113 Tests** and **11,363 runs in 311 ODIs**, and led India to the **2003 ODI World Cup final** and a shared **2002 ICC Champions Trophy** title. Players become eligible **five years after their final international appearance**. ICC Chairman: **Jay Shah**. ##Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar share a record ODI opening stand of 6,609 runs.##
The <b>US Federal Reserve</b> appointed three Indian-origin experts — <b>Raghuram Rajan</b>, <b>Raj Chetty</b> and <b>Asha Sharma</b> — to lead three of its five task forces reviewing the Fed's monetary policy framework under Fed Chair <b>Kevin Warsh</b>. <b>Raghuram Rajan</b> (former RBI Governor, now at Chicago Booth) will lead the <b>Balance Sheet Policy</b> task force; <b>Raj Chetty</b> (Harvard) the <b>Data</b> task force; and <b>Asha Sharma</b> (Microsoft Xbox CEO) the <b>Productivity and Jobs</b> task force. The US Fed, established in 1913, reviews its policy framework roughly every five years.
In **July 2026**, **Mindaugas Sinkevicius**, leader of the **Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP)**, was sworn in as the **20th Prime Minister of Lithuania** after the Lithuanian Parliament (**Seimas**) approved his party's government manifesto. **Succession:** He succeeds **Inga Ruginiene**, who stepped down on **14 July 2026**. **Parliamentary vote:** Out of the **141-member Seimas**, **72** lawmakers voted in favour of the manifesto, **29** voted against and **4** abstained. The opposition **Nemunas Dawn Party (NDP)** was ousted from the government amid legal controversies. **Coalition:** Sinkevicius formed a **centre-left three-party coalition** comprising the **LSDP**, **For Lithuania (DLV)** and the **Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LFGU)**.
The **Ministry of Railways** appointed **Rahul Himalian**, Director (Tourism & Marketing) of the **Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)**, as the **additional Chairman & Managing Director (CMD)** of IRCTC, following the resignation of **Sanjay Kumar Jain**. The appointment takes effect from **20 July 2026**; he will continue to hold his post as Director (Tourism & Marketing). **Profile:** A **1999-batch Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS)** officer, Himalian has over **26 years** of experience in Indian Railways and IRCTC, and has served as a Whole-Time Functional Director on the IRCTC Board since **16 February 2024**. He heads Tourism, Information Technology, Human Resource Development, Infrastructure, Administration and Rajbhasha. He was awarded the **President's Gold Medal** for Best All-Round Student. **About IRCTC:** Established in **1999**, IRCTC is a **Schedule 'A' Navratna** Central Public Sector Enterprise under the **Ministry of Railways**, providing railway ticketing, catering, tourism and hospitality services. HQ: **New Delhi**.
The **Ministry of Railways** appointed **Rahul Himalian**, Director (Tourism & Marketing) at **IRCTC**, as **additional Chairman & Managing Director (CMD)** of IRCTC, effective **20 July 2026**, following the resignation of **Sanjay Kumar Jain**. A **1999-batch IRTS officer** with over 26 years of experience, Himalian has been a Whole-Time Functional Director on the IRCTC Board since February 2024.
The **Reserve Bank of India (RBI)** approved the appointment of **Rajiv Kumar** as **Part-time (Non-Executive) Chairman** of **HDFC Bank** for a **three-year term**. Interim Part-time Chairman **Keki Mistry** steps aside from the role but remains on the board. Separately, the government extended the term of RBI Deputy Governor **Swaminathan Janakiraman** (the senior-most Deputy Governor) by two years, effective **26 June 2026**.
Union Minister **Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi** — who holds the **Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution** and **New and Renewable Energy** portfolios — was given **additional charge as the 10th Union Minister of Education**, following the resignation of **Dharmendra Pradhan**. On the advice of PM **Narendra Modi**, President **Droupadi Murmu** accepted Pradhan's resignation under **clause (2) of Article 75** of the Constitution. Pradhan resigned taking **moral responsibility** for the **NEET-UG 2026 paper leak** and the resulting student protests. In related changes, **Naresh Pal Gangwar** (1994-batch IAS) took charge as **Higher Education Secretary** and **T.K. Anil Kumar** (1995-batch IAS) as **School Education & Literacy Secretary**.
The **Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC)** appointed **Satya Pal Kumar**, a **2005-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer** of the Income Tax cadre, as the **Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit - India (FIU-IND)**. **FIU-IND**, set up in **2004**, is the central national agency responsible for **receiving, processing, analysing and disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions**, and reports directly to the **Economic Intelligence Council** headed by the Finance Minister. It is the nodal agency for India's engagement with the **Financial Action Task Force (FATF)**.
Indian tennis legend **Leander Paes** has been appointed **Player Ambassador of the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF)**, announced during a ceremony on the sidelines of the **Wimbledon Championships** in London. Paes - the **only Indian to win an Olympic tennis medal** (**bronze in men's singles at Atlanta 1996**) - will promote the sport across Asia, mentor young players and support grassroots development. He won **18 Grand Slam titles** (8 men's doubles and 10 mixed doubles) and completed a **career Grand Slam** in both disciplines. In **2024** he became the **first Asian man inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame**. ATF President: **Yuryi Polskiy**. ##Paes represented India at seven consecutive Olympic Games.##
**World Population Day (11 July)** was observed with the 2026 theme **"Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people"**; established 1989 by the UNDP Governing Council. **International Malala Day (12 July)** marks the birth anniversary of **Malala Yousafzai**, the youngest Nobel laureate. The **International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms (12 July)** was observed; the UN declared **2025–2034 the UN Decade on Combating SDS**. **World Horse Day (11 July)** saw its 2nd observance.
**World Day for International Justice** is observed annually on **17 July** to recognise the international criminal justice system. The date marks the adoption of the **Rome Statute** on 17 July **1998**, which established the **International Criminal Court (ICC)** — the first permanent global tribunal for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The ICC is headquartered in **The Hague, Netherlands**. July 17 is also observed globally as **World Emoji Day**, founded in 2014 by Jeremy Burge of Emojipedia.
**Nelson Mandela International Day** is observed every **18 July** (Mandela's birthday) to honour his legacy of service, freedom, justice and democracy. The UN adopted it in **2009**; first observed in **2010**. The **2026 theme** is **It's Still in Our Hands to Combat Poverty and Inequity**. People are encouraged to devote **67 minutes** to community service, symbolising Mandela's 67 years of public life.
**Nelson Mandela International Day** is observed every year on **18 July**, Mandela's birthday, to honour his legacy of peace, freedom and social justice. The **2026 theme** is **"It's Still in Our Hands to Combat Poverty and Inequity."** The day encourages people to devote **67 minutes** to community service — one minute for each of Mandela's **67 years** of public service. It was declared by the **UN General Assembly in 2009** and first observed in **2010**.
**International Chess Day**, also known as **World Chess Day**, is observed annually on **20 July** worldwide to celebrate the game of chess and the people it brings together. **Why 20 July:** The date marks the **founding of the International Chess Federation (FIDE)** in **Paris on 20 July 1924**. It is an **official United Nations observance**, recognised by the **UN General Assembly in 2019**. **Observance 2026:** **FIDE** invited the global chess community to mark International Chess Day 2026 through creative games, inclusive events and a live discussion on **chess as a tool for social change**. The 2026 programme emphasised **inclusivity, strategy and global harmony**, and included the **Creative Chess challenge**, activities by the **FIDE Commission for Women's Chess**, and a **Social Commission panel** featuring speakers involved in prison chess, refugee projects and community programmes worldwide.
The **United Nations** observes **World Chess Day** (also called **International Chess Day**) annually on **20 July** to celebrate chess as one of the world's oldest intellectual games and its role in promoting **education, peace, inclusion and global cooperation**. **2026 Theme: 'Celebrate, create and make a difference'** The date marks the founding of **FIDE (Federation Internationale des Echecs / International Chess Federation)** on **20 July 1924 in Paris, France**. **Background:** The idea of celebrating International Chess Day was first proposed by **UNESCO**. **FIDE** has observed 20 July as International Chess Day since **1966**. On **12 December 2019**, the **UN General Assembly** adopted **Resolution A/RES/74/22**, officially proclaiming **20 July** as **World Chess Day**; the resolution was introduced by **Armenia** and co-sponsored by **52 countries**. The first UN-recognised World Chess Day was observed on **20 July 2020**.
The United Nations observes **World Chess Day** annually on **20 July**, marking the founding of **FIDE** (International Chess Federation) on **20 July 1924** in Paris. The **2026 theme** is **Celebrate, create and make a difference**. The UNGA proclaimed the day via Resolution A/RES/74/22 on 12 December 2019 (introduced by Armenia); the first UN observance was on 20 July 2020.
**National Broadcasting Day** is observed every year on **23 July**, marking the first-ever organised radio broadcast by the **Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC)** from **Bombay** on **23 July 1927**. After the IBC closed in 1930, the government launched the **Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS)**, renamed **All India Radio (AIR)** in **1936**; the name **Akashvani** was adopted in **1957**. The day recognises radio's role in informing and educating people, especially in rural areas. 2026 marks the **99th anniversary** of organised radio in India.
**World Hepatitis Day (WHD)** is observed every year on **28 July** to raise awareness about **viral hepatitis** and accelerate efforts to eliminate it as a public-health threat by **2030**. The **2026 theme** is **'Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down.'** The date marks the **birth anniversary of Dr. Baruch Samuel Blumberg**, the Nobel laureate who **discovered the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in 1967**. The **World Health Organization (WHO)** officially designated 28 July as WHD in **2010** (Resolution WHA63.18), with the first WHO-recognised observance held in **2011**. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, caused mainly by hepatitis viruses **A, B, C, D and E**.
The **Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Foundation Day** (also called Raising Day) is observed on **27 July**, with **2026 marking its 88th anniversary**. The CRPF was established as the **Crown Representative's Police (CRP)** on **27 July 1939** at **Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh**, to help princely states maintain law and order during British rule. After independence, it was renamed the **CRPF on 28 December 1949** under the **CRPF Act, 1949**, following the vision of **Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel**, independent India's first Home Minister. The **CRPF is India's largest Central Armed Police Force (CAPF)**, primarily handling internal security, counter-insurgency and law-and-order duties.
**International Tiger Day**, also called **Global Tiger Day**, is observed worldwide every year on **29 July** to raise awareness about **tiger conservation** and the protection of tiger habitats. The day was established at the **2010 St. Petersburg Tiger Summit** in Russia, where tiger-range countries pledged to **double the wild tiger population** (the **TX2** goal) by 2022. India is home to the **majority of the world's wild tigers** and conserves them through **Project Tiger** (launched 1973) and the network of tiger reserves overseen by the **National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)**.
**World Hepatitis Day (WHD)** is observed every year on **28 July** to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and accelerate global efforts to eliminate it as a public-health threat by **2030**. The **2026 theme** is **'Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down'**. The date marks the birth anniversary of **Dr Baruch Samuel Blumberg**, who discovered the **Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)** in **1967** (and won a Nobel Prize for it). The first global WHD was observed on **19 May 2008** by the World Hepatitis Alliance; in **2010** the **63rd World Health Assembly** designated **28 July** as WHD, with the first WHO-recognised observance in **2011**.
The **World Day Against Trafficking in Persons** was observed globally on **30 July 2026** under the UN theme **'Trapped Behind the Scam'**, focusing on people trafficked into **online scam and cyber-fraud operations** and forced into cyber-enabled crime through coercion, debt and surveillance. The day was established by a **United Nations General Assembly resolution in 2013**. The **UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)** leads global anti-trafficking efforts, symbolised by its **Blue Heart Campaign**.
**Nikola Tesla Day** is observed every year on **10 July** to mark the birth anniversary of the **Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer Nikola Tesla** (born **10 July 1856**). Tesla is best known for his pioneering work on the **alternating current (AC)** electricity supply system, the **AC induction motor**, and the **Tesla coil**. The **SI unit of magnetic flux density, the tesla (T)**, is named in his honour. ##Tesla's alternating current (AC) system became the basis for the electricity that powers homes worldwide.##
**World Population Day** is observed every year on **11 July** to raise awareness of global population issues. The **2026 theme** is **'Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people - today and for the future,'** focusing on young people's choices around relationships and parenthood. The day was **established by the UNDP in 1989**, inspired by the **'Day of Five Billion' (11 July 1987)**, when the world's population reached five billion. The **UN Population Fund (UNFPA)** leads global coordination. India became the **world's most populous country in 2023**. ##The global population is around 8.3 billion in 2026.##
Legendary playback singer **S. Janaki (Sistla Sreeramamurthy Janaki)**, the **"Nightingale of South India"**, passed away at **88** in Mysuru, Karnataka. Born 23 April 1938 in Repalle, Guntur (AP), she recorded over **48,000 songs in nearly 20 languages** across a six-decade career (1957–2017). She won **4 National Film Awards** for Best Female Playback Singer and **33 State Film Awards**, and famously declined the **Padma Bhushan in 2013**.
**Sir Garfield "Garry" Sobers**, widely regarded as the **greatest all-rounder in cricket history**, died on **17 July 2026** at the age of **89**. Born on **28 July 1936** in Barbados, he represented the **West Indies**. Across **93 Tests** he scored **8,032 runs** at an average of **57.78** and took **235 wickets**. In 1958 against Pakistan he made **365 not out**, then a world-record individual Test score, and was famed for hitting **six sixes in a single over** in first-class cricket (1968).
On **15 July 2026**, renowned **Nokkuvidya Pavakkali** exponent **Moozhikkal Pankajakshi** passed away in **Koothattukulam, Kerala**, at the age of **90**. She was born on **14 March 1936** at Urulikunnath, Pala, in **Kottayam district, Kerala**. **Art form:** **Nokkuvidya Pavakkali** is a rare traditional Kerala puppetry art in which the performer balances and manipulates puppets on a stick held in the mouth. She began learning the art from her mother, **Paappiyamma**, at the age of **11**, and was regarded as its last major exponent. **Honours:** She was awarded the **Padma Shri**, India's **4th-highest civilian award**, in **2020** for her contribution to **Arts**. She also received the **Kerala Folklore Academy Fellowship** in **2012**. **Legacy:** She took the traditional art form from rural Kerala to international platforms, including performances at cultural festivals in **Paris, France**.
**Sir Garfield Sobers**, the legendary West Indies cricketer widely regarded as the **greatest all-rounder in cricket history**, passed away on **17 July 2026** in **Saint Michael, Barbados**, at the age of **89**. He was born on **28 July 1936** in **Bridgetown, Barbados**. **Career:** A **left-handed batter**, versatile **left-arm bowler** and exceptional fielder, Sobers played **93 Tests (1954-1974)** for the **West Indies**, scoring **8,032 runs at an average of 57.78** and taking **235 wickets**. **Records:** He scored a then-world-record **365 not out against Pakistan in 1958**; became the **first cricketer to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket (1968)**; and captained the West Indies in **39 Tests** between **1965 and 1972**. **Honours:** **Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975**; named among **Wisden's Five Cricketers of the 20th Century (2000)**; inducted into the **ICC Hall of Fame (2009)**. The **Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy** is awarded annually to the **ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year**.
Renowned **Tamil writer Poomani** - the pen name of **Poolithurai Manickavasagam** - passed away on **12 July 2026** at the age of **79** due to age-related illness in Chennai. Born in **1947** at Andipatti near Kovilpatti (Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu), he was one of the most significant voices in Tamil literature, chronicling the lives of people in the state's dryland (**karisal**) regions. He won the **Sahitya Akademi Award (2014)** for his novel **Anjaadi (Agnaadi)**, and his novel **Vekkai** was adapted into the acclaimed 2019 film **Asuran** (directed by Vetrimaaran, starring Dhanush). Tamil Nadu Chief Minister **Joseph Vijay** announced **state honours** for his final rites. ##His novel 'Vekkai' inspired the National Award-winning film 'Asuran'.##
UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2026, titled "International Investment in a Turbulent Era", ranked India 11th globally in FDI inflows (up 2 places), with 2025 inflows surging ~44% to USD 38.89 billion. Top destinations: USA (USD 277 bn), Singapore (USD 151 bn), Hong Kong (USD 116 bn). Global FDI rose 6% to USD 1.6 trillion after two years of decline. On outflows, India climbed to 18th among source economies (outward FDI up 47% to USD 35.66 bn). Strategic sectors (semiconductors, digital infrastructure, AI, advanced manufacturing, energy transition) made up 44% of global greenfield project value in 2025, up from 16% in 2024.
The Central Electricity Authority's Long-Term National Resource Adequacy Plan (2026-27 to 2035-36) estimates India will need 174 GW / 888 GWh of energy storage (BESS + pumped storage) by 2035-36, with peak demand projected at 458.7 GW (about 300 GW in FY27, after touching 271 GW in May 2026). The IESA 'India BESS Market Review' (released at India Energy Storage Week) reported installed BESS capacity jumped 11-fold in six months — 0.78 GWh (Dec 2025) to 8.7 GWh (H1 2026).
Global Citizen Solutions released the 5th annual Global Passport Index 2026: Sweden topped (96.05), followed by Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Netherlands; Singapore 10th. India ranked 125th of 197 with a composite score of 45.1 — its highest in 5 years (down one place from 124th). Category-wise: 136th in Enhanced Mobility (50% weight), 118th in Quality of Life (up 11) and 94th in Investment (up 3). Do not confuse with the Henley Passport Index, where India stands 80th.
The **World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)** and Luiss Business School released the **3rd World Intangible Investment Report 2026**, naming India the **fastest-growing major economy in intangible investments**. India's intangible investment reached **USD 78.2 billion in 2023** after **7.9% annual growth** — highest among the world's 15 largest economies, ahead of Japan (4.8%) and the USA (4.4%). Composition: software & databases 45%, organisational capital 21.8%, R&D 12.7%.
The **National Statistics Office (NSO)** under the **Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)** launched the **first trial Index of Services Production (ISP)** — India's first official monthly indicator of services-sector output, complementing the **Index of Industrial Production (IIP)**. The ISP is India's first **high-frequency indicator** dedicated to measuring formal services-sector output, tracking short-term changes in the volume of output relative to a base year. The services sector is India's largest GDP contributor, accounting for over **50%** of Gross Value Added (GVA) since 2013-14.
**Brand Finance** released its **India 100 Report 2026**. The **Tata Group** retained its position as India's most valuable brand for the **10th consecutive year** with a brand value of **USD 33.6 billion**, followed by Infosys (USD 15.3 billion) and LIC Group (USD 15.3 billion). The **Adani Group** jumped to **8th** (from 13th) to become the fastest company to enter India's top 10 most valuable brands. Total valuation of India's 100 leading brands stood at **USD 252.8 billion**, up 7%. **Suzlon Energy** was the fastest-growing brand (up 114% to USD 418 million), and **Taj Hotels** was named India's strongest brand for the 5th year running.
**Brand Finance** released the **India 100 Report 2026**. The **Tata Group** retained its rank as India's most valuable brand for the **10th consecutive year** (brand value **USD 33.6 billion**), followed by **Infosys** (USD 15.3 bn) and **LIC Group** (USD 15.3 bn). The **Adani Group** jumped to **8th** (from 13th) — the fastest company to enter India's top-10 most valuable brands. Total valuation of India's top 100 brands is **USD 252.8 billion**, up **7% YoY**. **Suzlon Energy** was the fastest-growing brand (+114% YoY to USD 418 mn); **Taj Hotels** was India's strongest brand for the 5th straight year.
The **National Statistical Office (NSO)**, under the **Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)**, released the **Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Monthly Bulletin for June 2026**. India's overall **Unemployment Rate (UR)** for persons aged **15 years and above** remained **unchanged at 5.5%** in June 2026. PLFS methodology was revamped from **January 2025** to provide **monthly and quarterly** labour-force estimates for both rural and urban India.
**NITI Aayog** released the **Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026** in **July 2026**, a data-driven framework assessing the capability of States and Union Territories to attract and sustain investment. **Top rankings:** **Gujarat** topped both the large-States category and the overall ranking with a score of **56.6**, followed by **Maharashtra (53.7)** at **2nd** and **Tamil Nadu (53.3)** at **3rd**. **Goa** ranked **4th (53.1)** and **Odisha 5th (52.4)**. Together the **top 5 States account for 85% of total FDI inflows** into India. **Bottom rankings:** **Lakshadweep** ranked lowest with **24.5**, preceded by **Ladakh (35th, 27.0)**, **Andaman & Nicobar Islands (34th, 30.2)**, **Manipur (33rd, 32.3)** and **Sikkim (32nd, 36.6)**. **Classification:** **5 States** are 'Top Performers' — **Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha and Tamil Nadu**; **15 States/UTs** are 'Front Runners' (including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh); and **8 States/UTs** are 'Emerging' — **Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Puducherry, Punjab and West Bengal**.
**NITI Aayog** launched the **Roadmap for Building India as a Leading Bioeconomy Powerhouse by 2035** at the National Media Centre, New Delhi, released by **Dr. Jitendra Singh** (MoS Independent Charge, Science & Technology) with NITI Aayog CEO **Nidhi Chhibber**. Developed by the **NITI Frontier Tech Hub (NITI-FTH)** with the Department of Biotechnology, it targets a **USD 691 billion** bioeconomy by **2035** and **USD 2.6 trillion** by **2047**, over **30 million** high-value jobs, and a place among the world's **top 3 biotech powers**. It recommends **six National BioMissions** — GeneIndia, AgriBio 2.0, BioX Foundry, One Health Grid, Marine Biotechnology and BioPharmaNext — and a proposed **Rs 50,000 crore BioEconomy Growth Fund (2026-2035)** from within the existing **Rs 1 lakh crore RDI framework**.
India's **Index of Industrial Production (IIP)** growth rose to **7.3% in June 2026**, up from **5.1% in May 2026**, driven mainly by expansion in the **manufacturing** and **capital goods** sectors. The IIP is compiled and released by the **National Statistical Office (NSO)** under the **Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)**. The IIP measures the volume of production across three broad sectors - **Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity** - with **Manufacturing** carrying the largest weight.
The **Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)** and the **Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)** released their joint **Agricultural Outlook 2026-2035**, a 10-year assessment of agricultural commodities, biofuels and fish across global markets. It projects **global agricultural and fish production to rise 13%** over the decade, driven by productivity gains in **Asia, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa**. **Southeast Asia and India** are expected to account for about **39% of global consumption growth**, while China's share declines. The report supports tracking **SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)**. ##The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook is a joint annual report.##
**Copenhagen (Denmark)** was ranked the **world's most liveable city** in the **Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Global Liveability Index 2026**, retaining the top spot for the **second year running**. **Vienna (Austria)** and **Melbourne (Australia)** held second and third places. The index ranks **173 cities** on **30 indicators** grouped into five categories: **stability, healthcare, culture & environment, education and infrastructure**. Several Middle Eastern cities slipped amid regional instability, while Asian cities rose, with **nine now in the top 20**. The EIU is the research arm of **The Economist Group**. ##The index scores each city out of 100 across five broad categories.##
This page collects all 198 current affairs items MockSutra published in July 2026, in the order the events happened. Each entry is sourced from government notifications, ministry press releases and official gazettes, then written down to the facts that appear in question papers: dates, names, ranks, host cities, scheme outlays and index positions.
July 2026 is archived and will not change, which makes it a stable revision unit — what you read here today is what you will revise the week before your exam. Aspirants preparing for SSC, Banking, Railways, UPSC prelims and state PSC papers can work through the list once for coverage, then use the practice questions built from this same month to check what actually stuck. Adjacent months are linked from the current affairs homepage if you are revising a longer window.
This archive holds 198 items for July 2026, covering national and international affairs, economy and banking, schemes, appointments, awards, sports and defence. That is the complete published set for the month — nothing is held back for a paid tier.
One month rarely stands alone. Most SSC and Banking papers draw from roughly the previous six to twelve months, so treat July 2026 as one unit in that window rather than a complete syllabus. Revise it alongside the surrounding months linked from the current affairs homepage.
Yes. The July 2026 compilation is available as a free PDF with the same items in the same order as this page, formatted for printing and offline revision. It is published from the free monthly PDF page and needs no account or sign-up to download.
Read the full list once for coverage, then re-read only the headings and check whether you can recall each associated date, name or figure. Anything you cannot recall, read again in full. A second pass over July 2026 on this basis usually takes under twenty minutes.
Once July 2026 ends, its archive is frozen apart from factual corrections. Items are not added, reordered or removed afterwards, so the page you revise from in the final week before an exam matches the one you first read during the month itself.
