- Bharat Taxi launched in Maharashtra On 23 July 2026, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched Bharat Taxi at Navi Mumbai International Airport. The cooperative ride-hailing platform treats drivers as members, owners and shareholders rather than only service providers. It aims to offer transparent fares, eliminate surge pricing and create employment and self-employment opportunities.
- Ballari–Guntakal railway project approved On 24 July 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the construction of third and fourth railway lines between Ballari in Karnataka and Guntakal in Andhra Pradesh. The ₹1,264 crore project will expand passenger and freight capacity, reduce congestion and improve the movement of minerals and industrial goods.
- Core Industries Index revised On 20 July 2026, DPIIT’s Office of the Economic Adviser released a revised Index of Core Industries with 2022–23 as the new base year, replacing 2011–12. Iron ore was added, increasing the number of core industries from eight to nine. The revision better reflects India’s current industrial structure.
- Karnataka Udyogini Scheme As of July 2026, Karnataka continues implementing the Udyogini Scheme through the Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation. It assists eligible women aged 18–45 in obtaining bank loans and category-based subsidies for income-generating activities. The scheme promotes women’s entrepreneurship and reduces dependence on high-interest private borrowing.
- Karnataka Thayi Bhagya Scheme As of July 2026, Karnataka continues maternal-health assistance under Thayi Bhagya and Thayi Bhagya Plus. Eligible pregnant women from vulnerable groups receive support for institutional delivery and treatment at approved hospitals. The scheme aims to reduce maternal and infant deaths and improve access to safe delivery services.
- BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme On 24 July 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the ₹3,030 crore Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan for establishing three dedicated chemical parks. Each park will receive up to ₹1,000 crore in Central support and provide shared infrastructure. The scheme aims to attract investment, increase domestic production, create jobs and reduce chemical imports.
- Ashiss Dash appointed Infosys CEO-designate On 23 July 2026, Infosys appointed Ashiss Kumar Dash as its next Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. He will succeed Salil Parekh on 1 April 2027 for a five-year term, subject to shareholder approval. Parekh will continue leading the company until 31 March 2027 to ensure an orderly transition.
- Naresh Pal Gangwar appointed Higher Education Secretary On 23 July 2026, the Centre appointed 1994-batch IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar as Secretary of the Department of Higher Education. He succeeded Vineet Joshi and will oversee higher-education policy, implementation of the National Education Policy, university administration and reforms involving educational institutions and regulators.
- Viswanathan Anand assumes FIDE presidential duties On 23 July 2026, five-time world chess champion and FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand assumed the duties of FIDE President after Arkady Dvorkovich voluntarily suspended his powers following international sanctions. Anand will oversee the federation’s administration and major international chess activities during the interim period.
- PNB and Andhra Pradesh plan Quantum Finance Hub On 23 July 2026, Punjab National Bank and the Andhra Pradesh Government signed an MoU to establish India’s first bank-led Quantum Finance Hub at Amaravati Quantum Valley. The centre will explore quantum computing and AI applications in cybersecurity, fraud detection, risk modelling and banking operations.
- SEBI approves Carnelian mutual-fund business On 22 July 2026, SEBI approved Carnelian Asset Management and Advisors to enter India’s mutual-fund industry. The firm, which already operates portfolio-management and alternative-investment businesses, plans to offer equity, debt and hybrid schemes. The approval introduces another participant into India’s rapidly expanding retail-investment market.
- Private space investment crosses $618 million Government data released on 23 July 2026 showed that private investment in India’s space sector had crossed $618.5 million by 31 March 2026. The growth reflects reforms allowing greater private participation in satellites, launch vehicles, space applications and infrastructure while maintaining security and regulatory oversight.
- NRDC–NCISM agreement On 23 July 2026, the National Research Development Corporation and National Commission for Indian System of Medicine signed an MoU to commercialise research in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and other traditional medical systems. The collaboration will support intellectual-property protection, technology transfer and development of evidence-based healthcare products.
- NIELIT–SCL launch indigenous Process Design Kit On 23 July 2026, NIELIT and Semiconductor Laboratory, Mohali, agreed to make an indigenous 1.2-micrometre Process Design Kit available through eChipHub. It will allow students, researchers, startups and MSMEs to design and prototype integrated circuits, strengthening domestic semiconductor education and innovation.
- Sona Comstar–DENSO electric-powertrain partnership On 22 July 2026, Sona Comstar and Japan’s DENSO signed agreements to establish two joint ventures in India. The ventures will develop electric and hybrid powertrain systems for two-wheelers, three-wheelers and larger vehicles, promoting localisation of advanced mobility technology and strengthening India’s electric-vehicle supply chain.
- Air India–Saudia aviation partnership On 23 July 2026, Air India and Saudi Arabia’s Saudia signed an MoU to expand codeshare arrangements, improve flight connectivity and explore cooperation in loyalty programmes and airport services. The agreement aims to meet growing travel demand between India and Saudi Arabia and offer passengers more convenient connections.
- VTU–Google academic agreement On 21 July 2026, Visvesvaraya Technological University and Google signed an academic agreement to improve students’ skills in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data science and cybersecurity. The partnership will provide curriculum support, faculty development and industry-oriented learning intended to improve employability and campus placements.
- India and Romania sign three agreements On 23 July 2026, India and Romania signed agreements covering science and technology cooperation, establishment of an Indian Studies Chair at the University of Bucharest and collaboration in sports. The agreements aim to expand academic research, cultural exchanges and people-to-people relations between the two countries.
- DBS named World’s Best Corporate Bank: On 22 July 2026, Global Finance named Singapore-based DBS the World’s Best Corporate Bank for 2026. It became the first Southeast Asian bank to receive the honour since the category was introduced. DBS was recognised for its digital platforms, transaction-banking capabilities and innovative use of AI and blockchain.
- Kusha long-range missile tested On 23 July 2026, DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. The missile intercepted a simulated high-speed, high-altitude target. It is being developed to counter aircraft, cruise missiles, drones and other long-range aerial threats.
- Indigenous expendable turbojet engine developed On 22 July 2026, DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment delivered India’s first indigenous 350-kg thrust-class expendable turbojet engine, manufactured with Azad Engineering. The development strengthens domestic propulsion capabilities for defence and aerospace platforms and reduces reliance on imported engines and critical components.
Summits & Conferences:
- Bharat Green Hydrogen Summit 2026 The second Bharat Green Hydrogen Summit was held in New Delhi on 23 July 2026 with the theme Positioning India as a Global Hydrogen Hub. Policymakers and industry representatives discussed financing, infrastructure, technology and demand creation to support the National Green Hydrogen Mission and reduce industrial carbon emissions.
- Five indigenous Small Modular Reactors planned Under the Nuclear Energy Mission, the government plans to operationalise at least five indigenously designed Small Modular Reactors by 2033. These compact reactors can supply clean power to industries, remote regions and existing thermal-power sites, helping India expand nuclear capacity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- CMFRI launches DeepDATA application On 23 July 2026, the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute launched the DeepDATA mobile application for documenting deep-sea fish species. Users can upload observations that are verified by experts. Developed under the Deep Ocean Mission, it will support marine research, species identification, biodiversity records and conservation planning.
- HCLTech plans Odisha AI Data Centre On 24 July 2026, HCLTech announced a proposed ₹14,257 crore AI Data Centre in the upcoming Odisha Sovereign AI Park in partnership with Sarvam and the state government. The project will support domestic AI models, high-performance computing, multilingual applications and India’s sovereign-data infrastructure.
- Low-cost zinc-air battery developed On 24 July 2026, scientists at SASTRA University announced a low-cost zinc-air battery technology using a nanofluid electrolyte containing silica and zinc-oxide nanoparticles. The innovation improves battery stability and efficiency and could support affordable energy storage for electric vehicles, renewable-energy systems and electricity grids.
- India sends medical assistance to Kenya On 22 July 2026, India handed over the first 4.5-tonne consignment of medical aid to Kenya. The supplies included protective equipment and diagnostic materials for managing infectious diseases. The assistance strengthens India–Kenya healthcare cooperation and supports Kenya’s preparedness for outbreaks such as Ebola.
- India concludes eighth WTO Trade Policy Review India’s eighth Trade Policy Review concluded at the World Trade Organization on 23 July 2026. WTO members examined India’s trade policies, reforms, tariffs and investment environment. The review promotes transparency, allows members to raise questions and assesses how national policies comply with multilateral trading rules.
- Wildfires trigger evacuations in France and Spain: On 24 July 2026, severe wildfires driven by heat, dry vegetation and strong winds forced large-scale evacuations in France and Spain. Emergency services and military personnel were deployed to control the fires. The crisis highlighted Europe’s growing exposure to climate-related heatwaves and forest fires.
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sets T20I record On 24 July 2026, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to score a T20 International half-century. He reached fifty in 19 balls against Zimbabwe in Harare. The achievement marked another major milestone for one of India’s youngest emerging international cricketers.
- Income Tax Day, India observed the 167th Income Tax Day on 24 July 2026. The date commemorates the introduction of income tax in India by Sir James Wilson on 24 July 1860. The observance highlights the role of direct taxation in financing public services and promoting voluntary taxpayer compliance.
- World Drowning Prevention Day, World Drowning Prevention Day was observed on 25 July 2026 with the theme “Unite to Turn the Tide.” The campaign promotes swimming skills, water safety, supervision, CPR training and safer water environments, supporting the global objective of reducing drowning deaths by 35% by 2035.
Questions:
Q1. Bharat Taxi was launched at which location?
a) Pune International Airport
b) Navi Mumbai International Airport
c) Mumbai Central Railway Station
d) Nagpur Airport
Answer: b) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched Bharat Taxi at Navi Mumbai International Airport on 23 July 2026. It is a cooperative ride-hailing platform in which drivers are treated as members, owners and shareholders.
Q2. Which bank is involved in establishing the Quantum Finance Hub?
a) State Bank of India
b) Bank of Baroda
c) Punjab National Bank
d) Union Bank of India
Answer: c) PNB will collaborate with the Andhra Pradesh Government to explore quantum computing and AI applications in banking.
