Current Affairs Capsule PDF (8 July, 2026)

National News

NHM Mizoram Declared India’s 21st Designated Repository Under Biological Diversity Act

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Natural History Museum (NHM) of Mizoram University, Aizawl, as India’s 21st Designated Repository under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 on 19 June 2026, following the recommendation of the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA). A Designated Repository preserves authenticated biological specimens, maintains scientific reference collections, supports species identification, and safeguards India’s biodiversity. Established in 2022, NHM is located in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, rich in unique flora and fauna. It specializes in pteridophytes, macrofungi, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fishes, moths, beetles, and butterflies. The museum preserves voucher and type specimens, has already collected over 500 specimens, maintains herbarium and zoological collections, and has experts across seven taxonomic groups. This recognition strengthens biodiversity documentation, conservation, ecological restoration, and collaboration with the Mizoram State Biodiversity Board and regional research institutions.

Government Extends New NPS Investment Options to Central Autonomous Body Employees

The Union Government has extended two additional National Pension System (NPS) life cycle investment options to employees of Central Autonomous Bodies (CABs) covered under NPS, as announced by the Ministry of Finance on 7 July 2026. Earlier available only to Central Government employees, these options now offer CAB employees greater flexibility in retirement planning. The LC-75 High fund (formerly LC-75 Aggressive) allows up to 75% equity exposure, making it suitable for younger investors with a higher risk appetite and long-term wealth creation goals. The Aggressive Life Cycle Fund (formerly Balanced Life Cycle Fund) provides around 50% equity exposure, with equity allocation reducing after age 45, offering a balanced risk-return approach. The move enhances investment choice, supports better retirement planning, aligns investments with individual financial goals, and makes NPS more attractive for eligible employees through the Central Recordkeeping Agency (CRA) system.

Kamarajar Port Becomes India’s Second Port with 18-Metre Operational Draft

Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL) in Tamil Nadu has become India’s second port, after Visakhapatnam Port, to achieve an 18-metre operational draft following the completion of the ₹440-crore Capital Dredging Phase VI Project. The upgrade enables the port to handle fully laden Capesize vessels carrying up to 1,70,000 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT), significantly enhancing cargo capacity. The project involved deepening the outer approach channel from 20 m to 23 m, the inner entrance channel from 19 m to 22 m, berth depths, and navigational areas, making the port Cape Compliant. Capesize vessels are among the world’s largest bulk carriers and typically sail around the Cape of Good Hope. The enhanced draft will reduce logistics costs, improve cargo handling efficiency, speed up vessel turnaround, strengthen India’s export-import (EXIM) trade, and boost the country’s global maritime competitiveness.

Four States Sign Narmada Project Payment Agreement to Resolve Financial Disputes

Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra signed a historic payment agreement in New Delhi on 7 July 2026 to settle long-pending financial issues related to the Sardar Sarovar Project and Indira Sagar Project under the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (NWDT) Award. The agreement addresses cost-sharing responsibilities, rehabilitation and resettlement expenses, compensation for submerged land, interest on borrowings, and pending dues among the states. The signing ceremony was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil. Established under the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, the NWDT provided guidelines for water allocation, project construction, financial responsibilities, and rehabilitation measures among Narmada basin states. The Sardar Sarovar Project supports irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydropower generation, while the Indira Sagar Project contributes to hydropower, irrigation, and water management in Madhya Pradesh. The agreement strengthens cooperative federalism and improves inter-state water governance.

PM-SETU Scheme Gets Nationwide Rollout with ₹60,000 Crore Investment to Upgrade ITIs

The Government of India approved the nationwide rollout of the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme during the 4th National Steering Committee meeting on 7 July 2026, chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). With a total investment of ₹60,000 crore over five years, the scheme aims to modernise 1,000 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and create a future-ready workforce through industry-aligned vocational training. The funding includes ₹30,000 crore from the Central Government, ₹20,000 crore from State Governments, and ₹10,000 crore through industry participation. Upgraded ITIs will receive modern laboratories, advanced equipment, digital infrastructure, updated curricula, and improved placement support. The scheme will also establish five National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) using a hub-and-spoke model to provide advanced training, technical guidance, and strengthen industry-academia collaboration for skill development and employment generation.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs Launches TribeX, India’s First Digital Platform for Tribal Heritage

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched TribeX on 7 July 2026, India’s first dedicated digital learning platform for tribal arts, culture, languages, and traditional knowledge. It was inaugurated by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram during the National Workshop on Strengthening Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. TribeX integrates online learning, digital documentation, research support, and skill development to preserve and promote India’s tribal heritage. The platform currently offers 20 free certificate courses on tribal paintings, handicrafts, handloom, artefacts, and musical instruments, with plans to expand to 100+ courses. It also provides five UGC-recognised one-year hybrid postgraduate diploma programmes in areas such as Santali language, tribal arts, textiles, museology, and sustainable livelihoods. The Ministry also signed an MoU with Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, to ensure academic quality and recognition of the diploma programmes, enhancing research, employment opportunities, and global awareness of India’s tribal heritage.

IIM Bangalore to Open First Overseas Campus in Indonesia

The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) will establish its first overseas campus at the Singhasari Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Malang, East Java, Indonesia, following an announcement on 7 July 2026 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jakarta. The campus will be developed through an MoU with PT Intelegensia Grahatama and marks a major step in the internationalisation of Indian higher education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The project will be implemented in two phases: the first will offer executive education, leadership training, and professional development programmes, while the second will introduce full-fledged management degree programmes. Academic focus areas include Global Supply Chain Management, Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Climate and Sustainability, and Healthcare Management. The initiative strengthens India-Indonesia cooperation in education, innovation, and technology, while joining the growing global expansion of Indian institutions such as IIM Ahmedabad (Dubai), IIT Madras (Zanzibar), and IIT Delhi (Abu Dhabi).

State News

Tripura Makes Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana Mandatory in Schools

The Tripura Government has made the full version of the National Song, Vande Mataram, and the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, compulsory in all government, government-aided, private schools, and recognised madrassas from 7 July 2026. As per the new protocol, every school day will begin with the singing of the full Vande Mataram, followed by the National Anthem, with students, teachers, and staff required to stand at attention. The directive was issued by the School Education Department in accordance with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated 28 January 2026 on the respect and rendition of the National Song. The policy was approved by the Tripura Council of Ministers on 25 June 2026 and came into effect on 3 July 2026. Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in Anandamath, is India’s National Song, while Jana Gana Mana, composed by Rabindranath Tagore, is India’s National Anthem, adopted on 24 January 1950.

International News

India and Indonesia Strengthen Strategic Partnership with 14 Agreements

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jakarta on 7 July 2026, India and Indonesia strengthened their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by signing 14 agreements covering defence, maritime security, trade, digital payments, education, space, critical minerals, healthcare, research, telecommunications, food security, and steel supply chains. A key outcome was Indonesia’s decision to procure BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, making it the third Southeast Asian country after the Philippines and Vietnam to acquire the system, along with Astra Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (BVRAAMs) developed by DRDO and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), in a deal worth over US$600 million. Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, emphasizing transparency, international law, regional stability, maritime cooperation, and support for ASEAN Centrality, further deepening defence cooperation and regional strategic ties.

India and Rwanda Expand Defence Cooperation at 2nd JDCC Meeting

India and Rwanda strengthened their defence partnership during the 2nd Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting held in New Delhi on 6–7 July 2026. Building on the 2018 Defence Cooperation Agreement, both countries adopted an implementation plan with defined timelines to enhance collaboration in military training, joint exercises, defence manufacturing, military medical cooperation, and institutional capacity building. The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence, and Brigadier General Louis Kanobayire, Chief J7 of the Rwanda Defence Force. Officials from the Ministry of Defence, DRDO, Ministry of External Affairs, Armed Forces Medical Services, and other defence organisations participated. The Rwandan delegation also met Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, interacted with India’s defence industry to explore indigenous manufacturing and technology partnerships under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and visited the Army Hospital (Referral & Research) in New Delhi to strengthen cooperation in military healthcare, reflecting India’s growing strategic engagement with African nations.

Economy News

India to Launch Index of Services Production (ISP) for Monthly Tracking of Services Sector

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will introduce the Index of Services Production (ISP) with 2024–25 as the base year, with a trial release on 14 July 2026. The ISP will be India’s first high-frequency monthly indicator to measure the output of the formal services sector, which contributes nearly 53% of India’s Gross Value Added (GVA). It will complement the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) by providing timely data for policy decisions and economic monitoring. The index will use the Laspeyres Volume Index methodology, be compiled at the 2-digit NIC 2025 level, and aggregate data using GVA weights. Primary data sources include GST returns, administrative records from sectors like railways, aviation, banking, and insurance, and ASISSE data for health and education. Developed under the Technical Advisory Committee on ISP, chaired by Debjani Ghosh, the index will be released monthly within 60 days of the reference month after trial validation.

Sports News

India Unveils Eco-Friendly Jute Apparel for Commonwealth Games 2026

India will become the first country to have its athletes and officials wear jute-viscose blended apparel at an international multi-sport event during the Commonwealth Games 2026, to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August 2026. Developed by the National Jute Board (NJB) under the Ministry of Textiles, in collaboration with Gloster Jute Mills and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), the apparel is made from 100% biodegradable jute-viscose blended fabric. The initiative promotes sustainable textiles, eco-friendly natural fibres, value-added jute products, Indian craftsmanship, and the Make in India initiative. India’s 124-member contingent (78 men and 46 women) will wear the apparel during official ceremonies. The official kit was unveiled in New Delhi on 7 July 2026 in the presence of Union Ministers Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Giriraj Singh, Raksha Khadse, and IOA President P. T. Usha, highlighting India’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals Confirmed: Full Schedule, Fixtures, Venues and Semifinal Bracket

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached the quarterfinal stage after the completion of the Round of 16, with France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina, and Switzerland advancing to the last eight. Argentina secured a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt, while Switzerland defeated Colombia in a penalty shootout to book their place. The quarterfinal fixtures are France vs Morocco, Spain vs Belgium, Norway vs England, and Argentina vs Switzerland, to be played from 10–12 July 2026 (IST). The winners of France–Morocco and Spain–Belgium will meet in the first semifinal, while the winners of Norway–England and Argentina–Switzerland will contest the second semifinal. With the tournament reduced from 48 teams to the final eight, the remaining matches promise intense competition as teams battle for a place in the FIFA World Cup final.

Schemes News

UP Mahila Samarthya Yojana 2026: Empowering Rural Women Through Skill Development

The UP Mahila Samarthya Yojana, launched in 2021 by the Government of Uttar Pradesh and implemented through the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM) under the Women Welfare Department, aims to empower rural women by strengthening Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The scheme provides free skill training in eight employment-oriented sectors, a ₹15,000 revolving fund for each eligible SHG, entrepreneurship support, and market linkages through Cluster Level Enterprises (CLEs) to promote self-employment and sustainable livelihoods. Eligible beneficiaries are rural women aged 18–60 years who are members of registered UPSRLM SHGs, with priority given to BPL families, SC/ST communities, women with disabilities, and Aspirational Districts. Applicants must complete SHG registration, regular savings and meetings, skill training, and certification to access financial assistance. The scheme enhances financial inclusion, women-led enterprises, rural employment, and income generation, contributing to the socio-economic development of Uttar Pradesh.

Science & Technology News

DeepSeek Develops Custom AI Chip to Strengthen China’s AI Ecosystem

DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup based in Hangzhou, is developing a custom AI chip primarily for AI inference workloads, aiming to reduce China’s dependence on foreign semiconductor technology. The project, which began around July 2025, remained in its early stages in 2026, with the company recruiting chip-design engineers and exploring production with Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), China’s largest semiconductor foundry, which currently operates a 7-nanometre process node. Unlike AI training, which requires high computational power to build models, AI inference uses trained models to generate outputs such as text, images, and predictions. DeepSeek’s V4-Pro and V4-Flash models, released in April 2026, are optimized for Huawei’s Ascend processors, supporting China’s domestic AI hardware ecosystem amid U.S. and Dutch export controls on advanced chips and semiconductor equipment. The company is also reportedly seeking its first external funding round, targeting about US$7 billion at a valuation of US$52–59 billion.

FDA Approves Vepdegestrant, First PROTAC Drug for Advanced Breast Cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vepdegestrant, marketed as Veppanu, on 1 May 2026 for adults with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative, ESR1-mutated advanced or metastatic breast cancer whose disease has progressed after at least one endocrine therapy. Developed by Arvinas Operations, Inc. and Pfizer Inc., it is the first FDA-approved Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) drug, a novel class of protein-degrading medicines. Approval was based on the Phase 3 VERITAC-2 trial, where vepdegestrant improved median progression-free survival to 5.0 months compared with 2.1 months for fulvestrant, with an objective response rate of 19% versus 4%. The FDA also approved Guardant360 CDx as a companion diagnostic to identify ESR1 mutations. The recommended dose is 200 mg orally once daily with food, with QTc interval prolongation and embryo-fetal toxicity listed as important safety warnings.

Obituaries News

‘Bridge Man of India’ Girish Bharadwaj Passes Away at 76

Padma Shri awardee Girish Bharadwaj, popularly known as the “Bridge Man of India,” passed away on 7 July 2026 at the age of 76 while undergoing treatment for a heart-related ailment at KVG Hospital, Sullia, Karnataka. A mechanical engineer and grassroots innovator, he dedicated over 30 years to improving rural connectivity by constructing more than 140 low-cost suspension bridges across Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and Odisha, linking remote villages to schools, hospitals, markets, and public services. His first bridge, built in 1989 across the Payaswini River in Arambur, Dakshina Kannada, pioneered affordable engineering solutions for difficult terrains. Bharadwaj received the Padma Shri in 2017 for his outstanding contribution to rural infrastructure. His innovative, sustainable bridge designs transformed thousands of lives, improved access to essential services, and remain a lasting model of inclusive development, affordable infrastructure, and social innovation in India.