National
- The Government of India approved the expansion of the PM-SETU programme across 200 Industrial Training Institute (ITI) clusters with an outlay of ₹1,237.58 crore to strengthen vocational education and skill development. The initiative aims to modernise ITIs, improve industry-oriented training, enhance employability, and bridge the skill gap, supporting the Skill India Mission and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- Bisleri International partnered with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to promote cleaner coastlines through beach-cleaning drives, plastic waste management, recycling, and public awareness campaigns. The initiative aims to reduce marine pollution, protect coastal ecosystems, and support India's environmental sustainability and Swachh Bharat Mission objectives.
- Kamarajar Port in Tamil Nadu became India's second major port with an 18-metre draft capability, allowing it to handle larger cargo vessels. The development will improve cargo handling capacity, reduce logistics costs, boost maritime trade, and strengthen India's port infrastructure under the Maritime India Vision 2030.
- The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore announced the establishment of its first overseas campus in Indonesia. The campus will promote management education, research collaboration, faculty exchange, and executive programmes, supporting the internationalisation of Indian higher education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
- The Tripura Government made the singing of Vande Mataram and the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, mandatory in schools to promote patriotism, constitutional values, national unity, and civic responsibility among students.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) designated Mizoram's Natural History Museum as India's 21st Designated Repository under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The repository will preserve biological specimens and support biodiversity research, taxonomy, and conservation.
- The Indian contingent will wear sustainable jute-based apparel during the Commonwealth Games 2026 as part of India's initiative to promote eco-friendly and biodegradable textiles globally. The apparel has been developed to showcase India's rich jute heritage, encourage the use of sustainable natural fibres, and reduce dependence on synthetic materials. The initiative also aims to support the domestic jute industry, increase global awareness of Indian jute products, and reinforce India's commitment to environmental sustainability and green manufacturing.
International
- According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Report 2026, India ranked 11th globally by attracting USD 38.89 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during 2025. The report highlights India's continued attractiveness as an investment destination and the role of FDI in promoting economic growth, employment, and technology transfer.
- India and Rwanda expanded defence cooperation during the Second Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting. Both countries agreed to strengthen collaboration in military training, defence capacity building, peacekeeping operations, and defence industry cooperation, further enhancing bilateral strategic relations.
- Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh led the Indian delegation to the United Nations Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance in Geneva, Switzerland. The dialogue focused on responsible AI development, ethical governance, transparency, safety, and international cooperation for the secure and inclusive use of artificial intelligence.
Economy:
- Kutch Copper Limited (KCL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), received certification from the London Metal Exchange (LME) for its copper products. The certification confirms compliance with global quality standards, enabling international trading of Adani Copper and strengthening India's position in the global non-ferrous metals market.
- The Government of India announced the launch of the Index of Services Production (ISP) to measure the monthly performance of the services sector. The index will provide timely data on major service industries, improve economic monitoring, and complement the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for better policy formulation.
- The Ministry of Education (MoE) released the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) Report 2025-26, providing comprehensive data on school education, including enrolment, teachers, infrastructure, digital facilities, and gender parity. The report serves as an important database for education planning and policy implementation.
- The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Index of Services Production (ISP) with 2024-25 as the base year. The index provides monthly estimates of the services sector's performance, enabling better assessment of economic activity and supporting evidence-based policymaking.
MoUs
- On 7 July 2026, GIFT City and Vietnam's Da Nang International Financial Center (VIFC-DN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in financial services, fintech, capital markets, and cross-border investment. The agreement aims to facilitate knowledge sharing, capacity building, joint research, and institutional collaboration while helping Vietnam develop its international financial centre. The partnership is also expected to strengthen financial and business linkages between India and Vietnam and enhance GIFT City's position as a global financial hub.
Awards and Honours:
- Sirsa Kinnow received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, becoming Haryana's first exclusive GI product. The GI recognition protects the product's unique geographical identity, enhances its market value, promotes exports, and benefits local farmers by improving branding and legal protection against imitation.
Appointments & Resignations:
- On 8 July 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of Mahesh Muralidhar Pai as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of South Indian Bank for a three-year term effective from 1 October 2026. Pai, currently Chief General Manager at Canara Bank, is expected to strengthen the bank's leadership, corporate governance, digital transformation, and overall business growth.
- On 7 July 2026, InsuranceDekho appointed former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly as its Brand Ambassador and launched the 'Khul Kar Khelo' campaign. The campaign aims to encourage insurance advisors to expand their business, increase financial awareness, and improve insurance penetration across India by promoting confidence, entrepreneurship, and financial protection.
Science & Technology
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the Flight Acceptance Hot Test of the CE20 cryogenic engine for the upcoming LVM3-M7 mission. The successful test confirms the engine's performance and flight readiness, strengthening India's heavy-lift launch capability for future satellite and space missions.
- Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek developed a custom AI chip to strengthen China's domestic AI ecosystem and reduce dependence on imported semiconductor technology. The development reflects China's efforts to achieve technological self-reliance and enhance its competitiveness in artificial intelligence.
- The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Vepdegestrant, the world's first PROTAC (Proteolysis Targeting Chimera) drug for advanced breast cancer. The drug represents a major breakthrough in targeted cancer therapy by selectively destroying disease-causing proteins rather than merely blocking them.
Obituaries:
- On 7 July 2026, former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran passed away at the age of 38 in New Delhi after a prolonged battle with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and life-threatening immune system disorder. A left-arm pacer, Zadran played a pivotal role in Afghanistan's rise in international cricket, represented the country in the ICC Cricket World Cup and ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Questions:
Q1. DeepSeek developed a custom AI chip to strengthen which country’s AI ecosystem?
a) Japan
b) South Korea
c) China
d) Taiwan
Answer: c) Chinese AI company DeepSeek developed a custom AI chip to strengthen China’s domestic AI ecosystem and reduce dependence on imported semiconductor technology.
Q2. The Government of India approved the expansion of PM-SETU across how many ITI clusters?
a) 100
b) 150
c) 200
d) 250
Answer: c) The Government of India approved the expansion of the PM-SETU programme across 200 Industrial Training Institute (ITI) clusters with an outlay of ₹1,237.58 crore to strengthen skill development and vocational education.
