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Current Affairs July 2026
41 important events from July 2026, grouped by topic, each with a one-line exam point.
Top stories
- VB-G RAM G replaces MGNREGA
- Sarnath becomes India's 45th World Heritage Site
- Spain win FIFA World Cup 2026
- Parliament passes Anti-Paper Leak Bill
- India–UK trade deal comes into force
- Australia to export uranium to India
National Affairs
VB-G RAM G Act replaces MGNREGA from July 1
1 July 2026The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 came into force on 1 July 2026, replacing MGNREGA as the rural job guarantee law. It raises the yearly work guarantee per rural household to 125 days and keeps Gram Panchayats at the centre of delivery.
- Guarantee: 125 days of wage employment a year per eligible rural household
- Central allocation for FY 2026-27: ₹95,692.31 crore; total outlay with states above ₹1.51 lakh crore
- On 5 July, Agriculture & Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released the first instalment of ₹25,863 crore to states
- Existing MGNREGA job cards stay valid during the transition
Exam point: VB-G RAM G guarantees 125 days of rural work, replacing MGNREGA
Modified UDAN scheme launched at Jodhpur
4 July 2026PM Modi launched the Modified UDAN regional air-connectivity scheme at Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It runs for 10 years with an outlay of ₹28,840 crore and plans 100 new airports and 200 helipads.
- Outlay ₹28,840 crore, FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36
- Targets: 100 new airports from unserved airstrips and 200 helipads
- Viability Gap Funding for airlines: ₹10,043 crore
- Original UDAN launched in October 2016
Exam point: Modified UDAN: ₹28,840 crore over 10 years, 100 airports, 200 helipads
India designates 23 Pakistan-backed operatives as terrorists
4 July 2026The Centre declared 23 operatives of the Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba to be terrorists. The step adds to India's counter-terrorism actions after the 2025 Pahalgam attack.
- 23 individuals designated
- They belong to JeM and LeT
- On 6 July, the NIA filed a chargesheet naming LeT founder Hafiz Saeed in the 2025 Pahalgam attack case
Exam point: 23 JeM and LeT operatives designated as terrorists
Farm mechanisation sub-mission data released
9 July 2026A government update on the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) said central funds of ₹9,404.47 crore have been released. More than 21 lakh machines have been given out to farmers since the scheme began in 2014-15.
- SMAM began in 2014-15
- 21.61 lakh farm machines distributed; 27,554 custom hiring centres set up
- 30% of funds reserved for women farmers; subsidy of 40–50%
Exam point: SMAM reserves 30% of funds for women farmers
Monsoon Session of Parliament begins
20 July 2026The Monsoon Session of Parliament began on 20 July 2026 and is set to run until 13 August. An all-party meeting was held on 19 July, the day before it opened.
- Session: 20 July – 13 August 2026, 19 sittings
- The all-party meeting on 19 July had 58 leaders from 40 parties; it was chaired by Rajnath Singh
- Parliamentary Affairs Minister: Kiren Rijiju
Exam point: Monsoon Session 2026: 20 July to 13 August, 19 sittings
Parliament passes Anti-Paper Leak Bill 2026
30 July 2026Parliament passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which makes the 2024 anti-cheating law much tougher. The Lok Sabha cleared it on 29 July and the Rajya Sabha passed it by voice vote on 30 July.
- Jail for using unfair means raised to 5–10 years; fine raised to up to ₹50 lakh
- Organised exam crime: at least 7 years in jail and a fine of up to ₹10 crore
- Sessions courts to act as special fast-track courts; trial to finish within 3 months of the chargesheet
- Bill piloted by Minister of State Jitendra Singh
Exam point: Organised paper-leak crime: minimum 7 years' jail, fine up to ₹10 crore
Lok Sabha passes Registration of Births and Deaths Amendment Bill
31 July 2026The Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 on 31 July without a debate. The bill amends India's main law on recording births and deaths.
- Passed by the Lok Sabha on 31 July 2026
- Passed without a debate
Exam point: Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 passed by Lok Sabha
Important Days
GST Day
1 July 2026GST Day on 1 July marks the launch of the Goods and Services Tax in 2017. The 2026 event marked 9 years of GST.
- GST was rolled out on 1 July 2017
- 2026 marked 9 years of GST
Exam point: Marks the rollout of GST on 1 July 2017
World Population Day
11 July 2026World Population Day is observed on 11 July. The 2026 theme focuses on the hopes of young people.
- Date: 11 July
- Theme: Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people – today and for the future
Exam point: Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people – today and for the future
World Youth Skills Day
15 July 2026World Youth Skills Day falls on 15 July. The UN General Assembly declared it in 2014.
- Theme 2026: Skills for a Shared Future
- Declared by the UNGA in 2014
Exam point: Skills for a Shared Future
World Drowning Prevention Day
25 July 2026World Drowning Prevention Day is observed on 25 July. It was set up by UN resolution A/RES/75/273 in 2021.
- Theme 2026: Unite to turn the tide
- UNGA resolution of April 2021
Exam point: Unite to turn the tide
World Hepatitis Day
28 July 2026World Hepatitis Day on 28 July calls for removing the barriers that keep people from hepatitis care. WHO says 287 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B or C in 2024.
- Theme 2026: Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down
- 1.3 million deaths from chronic hepatitis B and C in 2024
Exam point: Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down
World Day against Trafficking in Persons
30 July 2026The UN day against human trafficking is observed on 30 July. The 2026 theme points to people trafficked and forced to work in online scam centres.
- Theme 2026: Trapped Behind the Scam
- Set up by UNGA resolution A/RES/68/192; symbol: the Blue Heart
Exam point: Trapped Behind the Scam
Banking & Finance
Bank of Baroda settles NMC Health disputes for ₹5,700 crore
2 July 2026Bank of Baroda told the stock exchanges it would pay about ₹5,700 crore to settle disputes linked to the collapsed UAE hospital group NMC Health. The settlement relates to proceedings at the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
- Settlement amount: ₹5,700 crore
- Linked to NMC Health; proceedings at the Abu Dhabi Global Market
Exam point: Bank of Baroda pays ₹5,700 crore to settle NMC Health disputes
India's UPI to link with Indonesia's QRIS
7 July 2026During the Modi–Prabowo summit, India and Indonesia agreed to connect India's UPI with Indonesia's QRIS QR-code payment system. The goal is to finish the link by end-2026.
- UPI (India) to link with QRIS (Indonesia)
- Target: end of 2026
Exam point: UPI–QRIS linkage targeted by end-2026
Sports
113th Tour de France starts in Barcelona
4 July 2026The 113th Tour de France started from Barcelona, Spain, on 4 July, and runs until 26 July. It opened with a team time trial for the first time since 1971.
- 113th edition; Grand Départ in Barcelona
- Route of 3,333 km over 21 stages
Exam point: Tour de France 2026 began in Barcelona
Australia win Women's T20 World Cup 2026
5 July 2026Australia beat hosts England by 7 wickets in the final at Lord's to win their seventh Women's T20 World Cup. India were knocked out by Australia in the semi-final.
- Final at Lord's: England 150/4, Australia 153/3
- Australia's 7th T20 World Cup title
- Hosts: England and Wales; 12 teams
Exam point: Australia won their 7th Women's T20 World Cup
Linda Noskova wins Wimbledon women's title
11 July 2026Czech player Linda Noskova, aged 21, beat Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 for her first Grand Slam title. She is the youngest Wimbledon women's champion since Petra Kvitova in 2011.
- Winner: Linda Noskova (Czechia)
- Runner-up: Karolina Muchova
- Her first Grand Slam title
Exam point: Linda Noskova wins Wimbledon 2026 women's singles
Sinner retains Wimbledon men's title
12 July 2026World No. 1 Jannik Sinner beat Alexander Zverev 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 to win his second straight Wimbledon title.
- Winner: Jannik Sinner (Italy)
- Runner-up: Alexander Zverev
Exam point: Jannik Sinner wins Wimbledon 2026, beating Zverev
Spain win FIFA World Cup 2026
19 July 2026Spain beat Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute. It was Spain's second World Cup title, after 2010.
- Final: Spain 1–0 Argentina (after extra time)
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, USA
- First World Cup with 48 teams; co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the USA
Exam point: Spain won their second FIFA World Cup, beating Argentina 1–0
Commonwealth Games 2026 open in Glasgow
23 July 2026The 2026 Commonwealth Games opened in Glasgow, Scotland, on 23 July, with only 10 sports. The Games ran until 2 August, and India finished 4th in the final medal table with 13 golds and 39 medals in total.
- Host: Glasgow; dates 23 July – 2 August 2026
- 10 sports, the fewest since 1994; opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro, the first held indoors
- India: 13 gold, 39 total; Australia topped the table
Exam point: Glasgow hosts the 2026 Commonwealth Games with 10 sports
Obituaries
Pandavani artist Teejan Bai dies at 70
5 July 2026Teejan Bai, the leading artist of Pandavani (a sung retelling of the Mahabharata) from Chhattisgarh, died at AIIMS Raipur aged 70. She was one of the first women to perform in the standing Kapalik style.
- Art form: Pandavani; state: Chhattisgarh
- Padma Vibhushan (2019), Padma Bhushan (2003), Padma Shri (1988)
- Won the Fukuoka Prize in 2018
Exam point: Teejan Bai, Pandavani artist and Padma Vibhushan awardee
Playback singer S. Janaki dies at 88
11 July 2026Veteran playback singer S. Janaki died at 88. She recorded more than 48,000 songs in many languages and won 4 National Film Awards.
- Known as the Nightingale of South India
- Won 4 National Film Awards
- Turned down the Padma Bhushan in 2013
Exam point: S. Janaki recorded over 48,000 songs and won 4 National Awards
Chennamma Deve Gowda dies at 89
18 July 2026Chennamma, wife of former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, died at 89. Deve Gowda was PM from 1996 to 1997.
- Wife of former PM H. D. Deve Gowda (PM 1996–97)
Exam point: Wife of former PM H. D. Deve Gowda
International Affairs
Modi–Prabowo summit lifts India–Indonesia ties
7 July 2026PM Modi held talks with President Prabowo Subianto at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta during his state visit. The two sides signed 16 cooperation documents covering defence, payments, steel, energy and culture.
- 16 cooperation documents signed
- UPI to be linked with Indonesia's QRIS by end-2026
- SAIL–PT Krakatau Steel joint venture; 2026-27 named the Tagore–Dewantara Year
- India to help restore the Prambanan temple
Exam point: India and Indonesia signed 16 documents during Modi's Jakarta visit
NATO summit held in Ankara
8 July 2026The 36th NATO summit was held in Ankara, Türkiye, on 7–8 July and hosted by President Erdoğan. Allies reaffirmed the goal of spending 5% of GDP on defence by 2035.
- Venue: Ankara; Türkiye's second NATO summit, after Istanbul in 2004
- Defence spending target: 5% of GDP by 2035
- NATO Secretary General: Mark Rutte
- Albania had earlier been named host for 2027
Exam point: 36th NATO summit held in Ankara; 5% GDP defence goal reaffirmed
Australia agrees to export uranium to India
9 July 2026In Melbourne, PM Modi and Australian PM Anthony Albanese signed a deal for Australia to supply uranium to India. The uranium may be used only for peaceful purposes, under IAEA safeguards. The leaders also agreed to deepen defence, critical minerals and space cooperation.
- Australia holds about 28% of the world's uranium reserves
- India targets 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047
- A temporary space tracking terminal is planned on Australia's Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- The two countries signed a civil nuclear framework in 2014
Exam point: Australia–India uranium export deal signed in Melbourne
India and New Zealand become strategic partners
11 July 2026On his visit to Auckland on 10–11 July, PM Modi and NZ PM Christopher Luxon raised ties to a Strategic Partnership. It was the first visit by an Indian PM to New Zealand in 40 years.
- Ties raised to a Strategic Partnership
- Goal: double two-way trade by 2030
- India–NZ FTA was signed earlier, on 27 April 2026
Exam point: First Indian PM visit to New Zealand in 40 years
BRICS Network University adds traditional knowledge theme
21 July 2026As part of India's BRICS chairship in 2026, India hosted a BRICS Network University conference and a virtual meeting of its governing board. The board added traditional and indigenous knowledge systems as a new thematic area.
- India holds the BRICS chair in 2026
- Conference on 20 July; virtual board meeting on 21 July
- New thematic area: traditional and indigenous knowledge systems
Exam point: BRICS Network University adds traditional knowledge as a new theme
Awards & Honours
Modi receives Indonesia's highest civilian honour
7 July 2026PM Narendra Modi was given Indonesia's Bintang Adipurna (Adipurna Star), the country's highest civilian honour, during his state visit to Jakarta.
- Award: Bintang Adipurna
- Given by Indonesia during the July 2026 state visit
Exam point: Bintang Adipurna is Indonesia's highest civilian honour
FIFA World Cup 2026 awards: Rodri wins Golden Ball
19 July 2026Spain's Rodri won the Golden Ball as best player of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. France's Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot with 10 goals.
- Golden Ball: Rodri (Spain)
- Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappé (10 goals); Silver Boot: Lionel Messi
- Golden Glove: Unai Simón; Best Young Player: Pau Cubarsí; Fair Play: Netherlands
Exam point: Golden Ball: Rodri; Golden Boot: Mbappé (10 goals)
Defence & Security
Indonesia to buy BrahMos missiles from India
7 July 2026During PM Modi's Jakarta visit, Indonesia's Defence Ministry signed a contract with BrahMos Aerospace to buy BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. India's Bharat Dynamics Ltd also partnered with Indonesia's Republikorp on air-defence equipment.
- Buyer: Indonesia; seller: BrahMos Aerospace (India–Russia joint venture)
- BDL–Republikorp air-defence partnership
Exam point: Indonesia signs contract for BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles
Science, Tech & Space
ISRO completes IADT-05 parachute test for Gaganyaan
7 July 2026ISRO carried out a successful Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-05) at the ADRDE drop zone in Sheopur. The test checked how much safety margin the main parachute design has before the uncrewed G1 flight.
- Test: IADT-05, 7 July 2026, at Sheopur
- Purpose: qualify the main parachute for the G1 mission
- On 3 July, a booster for the SOLVE ST-01 ground test was static-fired at SDSC
Exam point: IADT-05 qualifies Gaganyaan main parachute for G1 flight
Cabinet approves Semicon 2.0 with ₹1.27 lakh crore
15 July 2026The Union Cabinet approved Semicon 2.0 with an outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore to build a full chip ecosystem. It covers design, fabs, packaging (ATMP/OSAT), equipment and materials, R&D and talent.
- Outlay: ₹1,27,500 crore; approved 15 July 2026
- Six pillars, including design, fabs, ATMP/OSAT and talent
- Under ISM 1.0: 12 units approved, about ₹1.64 lakh crore of investment; first fab expected in 2028
Exam point: Semicon 2.0 outlay is ₹1,27,500 crore
Economy
India–UK trade agreement comes into force
15 July 2026The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) came into force on 15 July 2026. It was signed at Chequers on 24 July 2025. India removes or cuts duties on 90% of its tariff lines for UK goods.
- Signed 24 July 2025; in force from 15 July 2026
- India cuts or removes duties on 90% of tariff lines
- Indian workers sent to the UK for up to 3 years get relief on social security contributions
Exam point: India–UK CETA in force from 15 July 2026
US imposes 10% tariff on Indian goods
24 July 2026When its earlier 150-day temporary tariff expired, the US imposed new tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on about 60 trading partners. Indian goods got a 10% tariff, which the US linked to alleged forced labour.
- Legal basis: Section 301, Trade Act of 1974
- Rates of 10% and 12.5% on about 60 partners
- India: 10% tariff, citing alleged forced labour
Exam point: US imposes 10% Section 301 tariff on India
Appointments
Andy Burnham becomes UK Prime Minister
20 July 2026Andy Burnham was elected Labour leader unopposed on 17 July and became UK Prime Minister on 20 July 2026. He succeeded Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation on 22 June.
- Labour leadership result: 17 July; took office as PM: 20 July
- Won unopposed with 379 nominations from Labour MPs
- Returned to the Commons through the Makerfield by-election in June 2026
Exam point: Andy Burnham succeeds Keir Starmer as UK Prime Minister
Pralhad Joshi gets additional charge of Education Ministry
25 July 2026Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister after protests over the 2026 NEET paper leak. Pralhad Joshi was given additional charge of the Education Ministry.
- Pralhad Joshi keeps his posts in Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy
- Pradhan resigned after the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak row
Exam point: Pralhad Joshi gets additional charge of Education after Pradhan quits
Varsha Aglawe is first woman DG of Geological Survey of India
31 July 2026Varsha Ashok Aglawe took charge as the 54th Director General of the Geological Survey of India. She is the first woman to lead the GSI.
- 54th Director General; first woman in the post
- GSI founded in 1851; HQ Kolkata; under the Ministry of Mines
Exam point: Varsha Aglawe: first woman Director General of GSI
Environment & Heritage
Supreme Court lets Taj Trapezium Zone authority process MSME applications
23 July 2026The Supreme Court allowed the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) Authority to process applications from MSMEs. The TTZ is a protected area set up to shield the Taj Mahal from pollution.
- Order by the Supreme Court, 23 July 2026
- Concerns MSME applications in the Taj Trapezium Zone
Exam point: SC lets TTZ Authority process MSME applications
Sarnath becomes India's 45th World Heritage Site
25 July 2026UNESCO inscribed the Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath near Varanasi on the World Heritage List. The decision came at the 48th World Heritage Committee session in Busan, South Korea, after 28 years on the Tentative List.
- India's 45th World Heritage Site
- Decided at the 48th session, Busan (19–29 July 2026)
- Sarnath is where the Buddha gave his first sermon
Exam point: Sarnath is India's 45th UNESCO World Heritage Site