Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based private firm, successfully launched its small-satellite launch vehicle Vikram-1 into low-earth orbit, deploying six technology demonstration payloads. This marks India's first private orbital rocket launch, a significant milestone for the country's private space sector, which was opened up by the Centre in 2020. The Vikram-1 is a four-stage rocket, with the first three stages using solid fuel and the fourth liquid fuel. The mission, 'Aagaman', validated key parameters like stage separation, propulsion, guidance, and orbital insertion. While a major achievement, Skyroot faces challenges in the evolving small-satellite launch market, including the need for industrial maturity and access to demand to prove commercial viability.
Skyroot Aerospace achieved India's first private orbital rocket launch with its Vikram-1 vehicle, deploying six payloads.
The mission, named 'Aagaman', successfully validated critical flight parameters for the four-stage rocket.
The private space sector in India was opened in 2020, allowing firms like Skyroot to utilize ISRO infrastructure.
The Supreme Court granted interim relief by staying the ongoing demolition drive in Rajasthan's border districts for two weeks. The drive, targeting mosques, madrasas, dargahs, and homes, was challenged by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind on behalf of 40 affected residents. The court directed petitioners to approach the Division Bench of the Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur, noting that disputes involving contested questions of fact are more appropriately adjudicated by the jurisdictional High Court. The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind's fact-finding visit documented the ground situation, following the demolition of at least four mosques in Barmer and Jaisalmer.
The Supreme Court issued an interim stay on demolition activities in Rajasthan's border districts for two weeks.
The petition was filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, representing residents affected by demolitions targeting religious and residential structures.
The court advised petitioners to seek appropriate relief from the Rajasthan High Court for fact-based disputes.
Exam Points
Petitioner: Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind
States involved: Rajasthan (Barmer and Jaisalmer districts)
Supreme Court Bench: Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe
The 70th National Film Awards announced 'Article 370' as the best feature film, with its director Aditya Dhar also winning for best direction. Mammootty secured his fourth Best Male Actor award for his performance in 'Kaathal - The Core'. Kriti Sanon secured Best Female Actor for 'Mimi', and Pankaj Tripathi received Best Supporting Actor for the same film. The awards also recognized 'Kantara' for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and 'Chhello Show' for Best Gujarati Film. The jury emphasized that the selection process was transparent and fair, aiming to honor cinematic excellence across various languages and categories.
'Article 370' was awarded Best Feature Film and Aditya Dhar for Best Direction at the 70th National Film Awards.
Mammootty won his fourth Best Male Actor award for 'Kaathal - The Core'.
Kriti Sanon and Pankaj Tripathi received Best Female Actor and Best Supporting Actor respectively for 'Mimi'.
Delhi's first women's police station at Sabzi Mandi, inaugurated on June 19, is preparing to file its maiden chargesheet. Led by SHO Laxmi Singh, the station aims to provide a focused and specialized approach to crimes against women, ensuring timely action and quicker justice. In its first month, it received 154 complaints and registered nine FIRs related to POCSO, rape, molestation, and dowry. While complainants appreciate the sensitive handling, challenges remain, including the need for more trained counsellors and staff to manage the volume of cases and coordination issues with local police.
Delhi's first women's police station, located at Sabzi Mandi, aims to provide specialized support for crimes against women.
In its first month, the station registered nine FIRs and handled 154 complaints, including cases transferred from CAW cells.
The station focuses solely on women-related complaints, unlike regular police stations with multiple duties.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that Delhi's public transport fleet will be augmented with 2,800 new air-conditioned low-floor electric buses by August 2028 under Phase I of the PM e-Drive Scheme. This initiative will increase the fleet strength to 14,000 by 2028-29. Of the new buses, 1,400 will be 12-metres long, and the remaining 1,400 will be 9-metres long, deployed on narrow roads and rural areas to enhance last-mile connectivity and extend public transport beyond main corridors. The scheme offers financial assistance of ₹35 lakh for 12-metre buses and ₹25 lakh for 9-metre buses, aiming to improve air quality and provide sustainable public transport.
Delhi will add 2,800 new electric buses to its public transport fleet by August 2028 under the PM e-Drive Scheme.
The initiative aims to increase the total fleet strength to 14,000 by 2028-29.
Shorter 9-metre buses will be deployed in rural and narrow areas to improve last-mile connectivity.
An indefinite hunger strike against the Ken-Betwa Link Project and other irrigation schemes in Madhya Pradesh's Bundelkhand region entered its 15th day. Protesters, primarily tribal women, allege inadequate rehabilitation and grievances related to displacement caused by the projects. The protest is being held on the banks of the Barana river near Kupi village. In addition to the hunger strike, protesters have launched 'jal satyagraha', 'chita satyagraha', and a symbolic 'faansi satyagraha' to highlight their demands and draw attention to the environmental and social impacts of the inter-linking project.
A hunger strike against the Ken-Betwa Link Project in Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh, has reached its 15th day.
Protesters, mainly tribal women, are demanding adequate rehabilitation and addressing displacement issues.
The protest includes various forms of satyagraha to draw attention to the project's impacts.
Exam Points
Project: Ken-Betwa Link Project
Location: Bundelkhand region, Madhya Pradesh (near Kupi village, Barana river)
Kerala recorded 2,914 student dropouts from State government syllabus schools in the 2024-25 academic year. Children of migrant workers constituted the largest group, accounting for 36.72% (1,070 students) of the total dropouts. These students primarily returned to their native States or moved elsewhere for work with their parents. Other significant reasons for dropping out included "lack of interest in studies" (704 students), change in residence to other States/countries (213 students), dysfunctional family backgrounds (174 students), and illness/hospitalization/accidents (163 students). The highest number of migrant children dropouts were from Ernakulam (390), followed by Malappuram (169).
Kerala reported 2,914 school dropouts in the 2024-25 academic year from State syllabus schools.
Children of inter-State migrant workers formed the largest group of dropouts, at 36.72%.
Key reasons for dropping out included migration, lack of interest in studies, change of residence, dysfunctional families, and health issues.
A study published in the journal 'Conservation' challenges the long-held belief that Asiatic lions outside Gir Protected Area primarily survive on domestic animals. The research, based on 160 lion scat samples from Gujarat's coastal districts, found that wild prey accounted for 64% of the lions' diet and nearly 70% of the biomass consumed. Blue bull (nilgai) was the largest contributor to the lions' diet, followed by wild pigs, while cattle were the main domestic prey. This indicates that healthy populations of nilgai and wild pigs along Gujarat's coastline enable lions to sustain themselves on natural prey, reducing pressure on livestock.
A study in 'Conservation' journal indicates that coastal Asiatic lions in Gujarat primarily feed on wild prey.
Wild prey constitutes 64% of the lions' diet and 70% of biomass consumed, challenging previous assumptions.
Blue bull (nilgai) and wild pigs are the main wild prey species for these lions.
Exam Points
Journal: 'Conservation'
Study location: Coastal districts of Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Porbandar (Gujarat)
Voters in Karnataka are encountering "logical discrepancies" notifications when submitting online enumeration forms during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. These pop-up messages, appearing after form submission, indicate anomalies detected in their data, such as being linked as son/daughter to someone claimed by multiple others as father. This development suggests that logical discrepancy checks are being applied at the enumeration stage, a point not previously clarified by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V. Anbu Kumar, who had stated clarity would come only after the draft electoral rolls were published.
Voters in Karnataka are receiving "logical discrepancies" notifications during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
These anomalies are flagged at the enumeration stage, even before the draft electoral rolls are published.
One example of a discrepancy is being linked as a child to a father claimed by multiple other individuals.
Exam Points
State: Karnataka
Process: Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
Ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla approved the merger of six Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray or UBT) MPs into the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This decision reduces the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s strength to three MPs in the Lok Sabha, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena now commands 13 MPs. The Speaker also approved a request from 20 Trinamool MPs for separate seating during the session, following their announcement of joining the National Citizens Party of India. The Union government has invited rebel Trinamool leaders for a meeting to discuss legislative business.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla approved the merger of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
This merger reduces Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Lok Sabha strength to three and increases the Shinde-led faction to 13 MPs.
The Speaker also granted separate seating for 20 Trinamool MPs who announced joining the National Citizens Party of India.
Exam Points
Lok Sabha Speaker: Om Birla
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister: Eknath Shinde
Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs merged: Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Dina Patil, Bhausaheb Wakchoure, Omraje Nimbalkar, Sanjay Bandu Jadhav
Two parliamentary committees have deferred their meetings, just ahead of the Monsoon Session. The Joint Parliamentary Committee examining the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, which aims to overhaul higher education, cancelled its July 20 meeting. Separately, the committee reviewing the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, proposing the removal of Ministers detained in prison for 30 days, also deferred its meeting. Opposition leaders, including Jairam Ramesh and Sagarika Ghose, hailed these deferrals as a "big victory," linking them to the government's previous defeat on delimitation-related bills. The VBSA Bill committee's draft report had revealed the Centre's agreement to changes proposed by its NDA-allied governments.
Two key parliamentary committees have deferred their meetings, including those on the VBSA Bill and the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill.
The VBSA Bill aims to reform India's higher education regulatory framework.
The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill proposes the removal of Ministers detained for 30 days in serious criminal offenses.
A study conducted in Raimona National Park, Assam, revealed that certain invasive exotic plant species, often considered undesirable, serve as major nectar sources for a large number of butterfly species. Researchers documented 220 butterfly species and identified 41 nectar plants, including Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata, and Ziziphus mauritiana, which are aggressive invasive species. These plants provide abundant nectar, especially when native wildflowers are scarce, and their prolonged flowering periods help sustain butterfly populations. The study suggests maintaining small, managed patches of these invasive plants in protected landscapes to ensure continuous nectar supply for butterflies.
Invasive plant species like Lantana camara and Chromolaena odorata are crucial nectar sources for butterflies in Raimona National Park, Assam.
These "unwanted" plants provide essential nutrition, especially when native wildflowers are scarce.
Their prolonged flowering and high nectar availability help sustain butterfly populations.
Exam Points
Location: Raimona National Park, Bodoland Territorial Region, Assam
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued comprehensive guidelines for social media conduct for advocates, law students, and legal interns. The circular, effective July 17, prohibits creating or circulating content that sensationalizes court proceedings, ridicules judges, or scandalizes the conduct of legal professionals. It specifically bans making reels, videos, or promotional content inside court premises and prohibits clipping or editing live-streamed proceedings with captions or music that distort or sensationalize. The BCI also restricts the use of AI-generated images, deepfake videos, and misleading legal advice, emphasizing the need to maintain the dignity of courts and the Bar.
The Bar Council of India has implemented strict social media guidelines for legal professionals and students.
The norms prohibit sensationalizing court proceedings, ridiculing judges, or creating content that scandalizes the legal system.
Specific bans include recording videos inside court premises and editing live-streamed proceedings with distorting captions.
Exam Points
Issuing body: Bar Council of India (BCI)
Effective date: July 17
Target audience: Advocates, law students, legal interns
The National Medical Commission (NMC) will no longer process "routine" requests from faculty members and medical colleges for determining eligibility for teaching positions. The Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) stated that the responsibility for assessing eligibility now primarily rests with the appointing authority, such as the medical institution or university, using the provisions of the Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025. More complicated cases will still be referred to the NMC but must be submitted through an institution, accompanied by a fee of ₹25,000. This shift aims to streamline the process and empower institutions.
The NMC will cease processing routine faculty eligibility requests for medical teaching positions.
The primary responsibility for determining faculty eligibility now lies with the appointing medical institutions or universities.
This change is based on the Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025.
Exam Points
Issuing body: National Medical Commission (NMC) - Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB)
Regulation: Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Regulations, 2025
Promoters and venture capitalists (VCs) of companies listed in the stock market up to July 2026 earned a lower share of the total Offer for Sale (OFS) component compared to the previous year. Their share reduced to 84% of the total OFS proceeds, amounting to ₹10,696 crore, down from 95.5% in CY25. While the overall OFS proceeds still constitute more than half (52%) of the total money garnered from the market, this indicates a shift. The report highlights that VCs' share in total OFS has significantly reduced from over 60% in 2023 to about 36% in 2026, while promoters consistently maintained a minimum of 30% share.
Promoters and VCs' share in Offer for Sale (OFS) proceeds from IPOs decreased to 84% in CY26 from 95.5% in CY25.
The total OFS proceeds still account for over half (52%) of the money garnered from the market in CY26.
VCs' share in total OFS has seen a significant reduction from 60% in 2023 to 36% in 2026.
Exam Points
Data source: primedatabase.com
Period: Up to July 2026
Promoters and VCs' share in OFS (CY26): 84% (₹10,696 crore)
Gujarat has been identified as India's leading investment destination, securing the top position among major States in NITI Aayog's first-ever Investment Friendliness Index 2026. The State scored 56.6 points, surpassing Maharashtra (53.7) and Tamil Nadu (53.3). The index evaluates 17 major States across 84 indicators under eight pillars, covering the entire investment lifecycle. Gujarat's success is attributed to its policy stability, investor-centric governance, streamlined business facilitation, and robust industrial infrastructure. The Industrial Extension Bureau (iNDEXTb) and time-bound statutory approvals were highlighted as key contributors to reducing project implementation delays.
Gujarat secured the top rank in NITI Aayog's first Investment Friendliness Index 2026.
The index assesses 17 major States based on 84 indicators across eight pillars of the investment lifecycle.
Gujarat's high ranking is due to policy stability, investor-centric governance, and efficient business facilitation mechanisms.
Exam Points
Index: NITI Aayog's Investment Friendliness Index 2026
Corporate India's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending increased by 17% year-on-year to ₹40,794 crore in FY25, according to a Fulcrum report based on Ministry of Corporate Affairs data. The cumulative investment over the past decade reached ₹2.61 lakh crore. The report noted a broader participation from firms, with 72,233 CSR projects implemented nationwide, a 21% increase from the previous year. The top 10 companies accounted for 17% of the total CSR expenditure, with Reliance Industries Ltd. being the highest spender at ₹1,309 crore, followed by HDFC Bank Ltd. at ₹1,039 crore.
Corporate India's CSR expenditure grew by 17% to ₹40,794 crore in FY25.
The cumulative CSR investment over the last decade has reached ₹2.61 lakh crore.
A total of 72,233 CSR projects were implemented, indicating broader participation from firms.
A new study in 'Space Weather' journal highlights an unexpected "slow-burn" threat to power grids from geomagnetic storms, challenging existing tools for assessment. The research focused on a G4-rated geomagnetic storm in June 2015 that caused geomagnetically induced currents to ramp up over 90 minutes in New Zealand's South Island power grid, rather than intensely spiking. While the currents were only 20 amperes, their prolonged duration can saturate transformer magnetic cores, leading to overheating and wear. The study suggests that a "mid-latitude ionospheric current wedge" caused this diversion, and experts need to update their understanding and protective measures for such unusual, long-duration events.
Geomagnetic storms can pose a "slow-burn" threat to power grids through prolonged, lower-intensity currents, not just intense spikes.
A June 2015 G4-rated storm in New Zealand caused currents to ramp up over 90 minutes, leading to transformer stress.
Existing tools and parameters like H' may not accurately capture the effects of these unusual, long-duration events.
Non-animal testing models (NAMs) are becoming crucial for the next phase of pharmaceutical growth, especially for India's transition from generic manufacturing to original drug discovery. Currently, only 10-14% of drug candidates entering clinical trials receive regulatory approval, partly due to animal testing's poor predictive accuracy for human body behavior. NAMs, including organoids, organ-on-chip platforms, and AI-enabled computational models, offer human biology-grounded insights, improving predictive accuracy and shortening development timelines. India needs a national framework and clear regulations to integrate NAMs effectively, leveraging its strengths in generics and biosimilars to become a hub for drug discovery and innovation.
Non-animal testing models (NAMs) are essential for improving drug discovery and reducing reliance on animal testing.
Animal testing often has poor predictive accuracy, contributing to high failure rates in drug development.
NAMs like organoids and AI-enabled models offer more human-relevant insights, improving accuracy and speeding up timelines.
Exam Points
Drug candidate approval rate: 10-14% (after Phase I clinical trials)
Researchers have identified a new species of African monkey, Colobus congoensis, or 'Likweli', in Central Africa's Lomami National Park. First photographed in 2008, it has now been confirmed as a unique species through genetic tests and field observations between 2018-2022. The Likweli is characterized by its small size, black fur, a striking orange-cream patch around its mouth, and a white patch under its tail. The authors have proposed classifying this new species as 'endangered' due to its limited habitat and potential threats.
A new species of African monkey, 'Likweli' (Colobus congoensis), has been discovered in Central Africa.
The species was confirmed through genetic tests and field observations after its initial sighting in 2008.
'Likweli' is identifiable by its small size, black fur, and distinctive orange-cream and white patches.
The rise of agentic AI systems, capable of pursuing goals and sequencing decisions without constant human oversight, is fundamentally transforming knowledge work. Unlike the previous shift to the knowledge economy, which rewarded specialized depth, the agentic economy demands workers who excel at defining tasks, setting context across domains, and critically evaluating AI outputs. As AI handles execution within specific domains, human value shifts to asking the right questions, identifying anomalies, and exercising judgment to ensure accuracy and ethical considerations. This new paradigm necessitates a broader skillset beyond narrow technical expertise, emphasizing the importance of human oversight and critical thinking in an AI-driven world.
Agentic AI systems are changing knowledge work by automating goal-oriented tasks, shifting human roles from execution to oversight.
The new economy will value workers who can define tasks, set context across domains, and critically evaluate AI-generated outputs.
Human judgment, skepticism, and the ability to identify errors in AI processes become paramount.
Exam Points
Concept: Agentic AI systems
Historical reference: Peter Drucker's 'The Age of Discontinuity' (1969)
First microprocessor: Intel 4004 (released two years after Drucker's book)
India launched its first hydrogen fuel cell-powered train on July 17, operating on an 89-km stretch between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana. This 10-coach train generates electricity onboard by combining hydrogen from cylinders with oxygen in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, producing only water vapor and heat as by-products. The system includes two Hydrogen Driving Power Cars (DPCs) providing 2,400 kW power. Safety measures, approved by TÜV SÜD, include continuous leak detection, automatic shut-off systems, and ventilation. India plans to deploy this technology on heritage railways and transition to a national program for hydrogen-powered rolling stock, contributing to the National Green Hydrogen Mission and Net Zero goals.
India's first hydrogen fuel cell-powered train has been launched, operating on a route in Haryana.
The train generates electricity onboard using a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, with water vapor as the only direct emission.
Comprehensive safety features, including leak detection and automatic shut-off, have been implemented and certified by TÜV SÜD.
The India-U.K. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Double Contribution Convention (DCC) came into effect on July 15, hailed as a "gold standard" free trade agreement. India gains immediate tariff removal on 96.8% of its tariff lines by the U.K., and access to key service sectors. The DCC benefits Indian workers in the U.K. by exempting them from U.K. social security if already contributing in India, benefiting over 75,000 workers. The U.K. gains market access in India, with phased tariff elimination on goods and opening of service sectors. Notably, India has agreed to reduce automobile tariffs and allow U.K. firms in central government procurement bids. Investment agreement and investor-state dispute resolution were left out.
The India-U.K. CETA and DCC came into effect on July 15, aiming to boost trade and benefit workers.
India gains significant market access in the U.K. with immediate tariff removal on most goods and access to service sectors.
The DCC exempts Indian workers in the U.K. from dual social security contributions, benefiting over 75,000 individuals.
Exam Points
Agreement: India-U.K. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
The Union Cabinet approved Phase II of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) with outlays of ₹1.27 lakh crore and ₹62,500 crore respectively. ISM 2.0 expands beyond the first phase's focus on capital subsidies to cover a broader electronics manufacturing ecosystem, including chip design talent, capital machinery, semiconductor-grade chemicals, and R&D. While capital subsidies are trimmed to 30-40%, the government expects ₹4 lakh crore investment, ₹2 lakh crore production, and ₹1 lakh crore exports over five years. The goal is to integrate India more tightly with global electronics value chains, progressing from legacy 28nm chips to frontier nodes and fostering domestic intellectual property.
ISM 2.0 and MPMS have been approved with significant outlays to boost India's electronics manufacturing.
ISM 2.0 expands its scope to include chip design, capital machinery, chemicals, and R&D, beyond just capital subsidies.
The government aims for substantial investment, production, and exports, while reducing capital subsidies to 30-40%.
Exam Points
Scheme: India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) Phase II, Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS)
Political parties and groups representing Sri Lanka's Tamil-speaking ethnic minorities have launched a common platform, "Medai," to voice their shared concerns. This initiative, comprising parties like All Ceylon Makkal Congress, Ceylon Workers' Congress, and Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi, is neither a conventional coalition nor an electoral alliance. The platform focuses on three key areas: introducing a new Constitution, holding long-pending Provincial Council polls, and resolving land conflicts. These demands align with pledges made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the platform aims to hold his administration accountable, emphasizing it is not anti-government but focused on specific issues faced by war-affected Tamils, historically marginalized Malaiyaha Tamils, and Muslims.
Sri Lankan Tamil-speaking minority political parties and groups have formed a common platform called "Medai" to address shared concerns.
The platform's key objectives include advocating for a new Constitution, Provincial Council elections, and resolution of land conflicts.
These demands are based on pledges previously made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Exam Points
Platform name: 'Medai'
President of Sri Lanka: Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Political parties involved: All Ceylon Makkal Congress, Ceylon Workers' Congress, Democratic Tamil National Alliance, Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Tamil Progressive Alliance
Cuban Ambassador to India, Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera, called for the lifting of the energy blockade imposed by the United States, stating it has caused a "collective punishment" and a humanitarian crisis in Cuba. The blockade has severely impacted all sectors of the Cuban economy, including electricity supply, healthcare, water supply, food production, and transportation. Aguilera highlighted "unprecedented suffering," citing over 100,000 pending medical surgeries, increased infant mortality, and a decline in cancer survival rates. He argued that no country has the right to impose unilateral energy blockades, especially in the context of renewed hostilities with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
The Cuban Ambassador to India urged the U.S. to lift the energy blockade on Cuba, calling it a "collective punishment."
The blockade has led to a humanitarian crisis, severely affecting Cuba's economy and essential services like healthcare and food.
Significant impacts include over 100,000 pending medical surgeries and increased infant mortality rates.
Exam Points
Country: Cuba
Ambassador to India: Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera
Imposing country: United States
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